Brisbane Roar held by Wellington after referee overturns penalty call

Updated: May 17, 2023, 01:06 am
Referee Stephen Lucas reversed his decision to give Roar a penalty.
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Brisbane Roar were frustrated by Wellington Phoenix after an overturned penalty decision cost them the chance to take a first-half lead in an away game they dominated.

Referee Stephen Lucas pointed to the spot after 32 minutes but changed his mind after consulting with his assistants -- and Phoenix made the most of their reprieve to hold on for a point.

The stalemate brought an end to Roar's four-game winning run, but the game was not short on chances.

Its big talking point came when central defender Andrew Durante was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

But after talking to his assistants, referee Lucas overturned the decision and instead ruled that Durante had been pushed before the handball.

Roar forward Jean Carlos Solorzano saw a first-half effort deflected just wide of the post, while a fine challenge by central defender Dylan Fox denied Brazilian Henrique the chance to strike.

Right at the end, Wellington came agonisingly close to a winner when Kwabena Appiah saw his effort blocked by Jade North, sending it spinning over the bar.