KEY POINTS:
NZ Knights 1 Queensland Roar 0
An eighth minute own goal gave the Knights their second win of the season at North Harbour stadium this evening.
The Knights deserved the win for a tenacious performance despite some heart-stopping moments when the Queensland Roar, who started the round in second place on the table, came close to equalising.
The only goal of the game came when Dustin Wells put in a cross from the right which defender Sasa Ognenovski somehow managed to slice over his own keeper and into the net.
But the match, in front of 2675 fans, contained more excitement than Knights' supporters have seen in much of the rest of the season added together. The sunshine, and a decent pitch now the rugby season is over, added to their enjoyment of the afternoon.
Knights keeper Mark Paston takes much of the credit for maintaining the slender lead for so long, his diving save to turn a Joshua McCloughan header around the post late in the first half a contender for the A-league save of the season.
It was his confident control of his box, including saving bravely at the feet of an advancing Reinaldo on 67 minutes, that helped keep the Knights in the game as they threatened to fade in the latter part of the second period.
Adam Casey was often involved when the Knights went on attack and Queensland were lucky not to concede in the 54th minute when a Jonti Richter shot was blocked and Casey spooned the ball onto the bar. The rebound fell to Malik Buari whose shot was smothered.
The Roar hit the bar themselves later in the half, a beautiful chip from substitute Spase Dilevski for once catching Paston out.
The Knights looked increasingly tired as the half went on. Gregory Duruz at left back looked particularly shattered, and potential playmaker Scot Gemmill was again missing in inaction, but this time there was no let-up in their fight and they were able to hold on.
NZ Knights 1 (Ognenovski og, 8)
Queensland Roar 0
Half-time 1-0
Attendance: 2675
