A last minute equaliser from Mitch Bevan salvaged a deserved 1-1 draw for Gold Coast United Youth in their early morning clash with the AIS in Canberra.
The result keeps United-s finals hopes well and truly alive, consolidating fourth place on the National Youth League ladder for Mike Mulvey-s men, with three rounds to go.
United were without defensive rock Zac Anderson, who was a late withdrawal from the travelling squad due to a hip injury, and were lack-lustre in the opening 45 minutes as the AIS dominated.
The home side-s pressure paid off six minutes from the break when Stephen Domenici tapped home from close range after the United defence cheaply gave up the ball.
But Mulvey-s tactical changes at half-time saw a different Gold Coast in the second period and they turned the tables on their southern rivals.
Chris Harold and Andrew Barisic were both denied by superb saves from AIS ‘keeper Aaron Lennox, with the woodwork also coming to the home side-s rescue as Gold Coast pressed for the equaliser.
United left it late but finally collected their reward in the dying moments of the match.
Mitch Bevan, who was almost forced to stay at home due to a stomach bug, was the hero for Gold Coast, firing home in the 89th minute.
After combining well with Barisic and Ben Halloran, Bevan looped a 25-metre drive past Lennox to secure the point United-s second half enterprise deserved.
“It was one of those games were not a lot went right for us, but we certainly can-t fault the effort from the players,” said Assistant Coach, Pat Hedges.
“We were a different side in the second half and might even have snatched all three points if it wasn-t for their goalkeeper.”
