Melbourne Heart have been denied a first-ever Hyundai A-League victory with Perth Glory grabbing a controversial late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at AAMI Park.
Heart, who had managed just one point from their previous three matches, looked to have secured the points with a dominant first half. Gerald Sibon put them ahead from the penalty spot in just the fifth minute before an unfortunate own goal from Michael Marrone put Perth back in the contest.
However, a well-struck shot from the impressive Nick Kalmar ten minutes before half time put Heart back in front, an advantage they looked they would not give up despite considerable pressure from Perth back in the match.
Goalkeeper Clint Bolton looked like proving the hero for the home side late in the match, producing two great saves from the boot of Robbie Fowler and Naum Sekulovski.
But deep into injury time, Michael Baird went down under the softest of touches from Kliment Taseski and debutant referee Kurt Ams pointed to the spot, much to the horror of Heart's players.
Fowler stepped up to easily convert the penalty and Perth could feel as though they were fortunate to have snatched a point.
Even Perth coach David Mtichell admitted the penalty was soft, but said his side deserved a point.
"We got in their penalty box, created chances and their keeper has made a couple of outstanding saves," he said. "You make your own luck….we had a right go and that's probably paid dividends."
The Heart are second bottom of the table having gone through their first four weeks without a win, while Glory re-take top spot on the table, ahead of Adelaide United on goal difference.
Melbourne Heart 2 (Sibon 5p, Kalmar 36)
Perth Glory 2 (Marrone 19og, Fowler 90p)
Crowd: 5,878 at AAMI Park