A strong Western Sydney Wanderers looked to have claimed a deserved win over the Newcastle Jets before a controversial last minute goal.
A strong Western Sydney Wanderers looked to have claimed a deserved win over the Newcastle Jets before a controversial last minute goal meant the points were shared at Hunter Stadium on Saturday night.
A scintillating set-piece strike from Aaron Mooy right on the stroke of half-time and a goal from skipper Michael Beauchamp put Wanderers into the lead just after the hour mark before Taggart snatched a share of the spoils when he poked home in the 90th minute.
The draw sees the Wanderers maintain second spot in the Hyundai A-League ladder.
The Wanderers controlled the first half with almost 60% possession and a shot count of six to one.
Against the run of play the Jets opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a thunderbolt from Taggart. Hoole took the ball in the midfield and weaved his way into Wanderers territory before being tackled by Matthew Spiranovic. The ball popped out to Taggart who unleashed a searing strike that found the top left corner of the net.
The Wanderers struck back right on the stroke of half-time with a scintillating long-range free-kick from Aaron Mooy who curled a delightful 30-metre effort over the wall and into the top corner to send the teams to sheds locked at 1-1.
It was the least the Red and Black deserved after another strong first half performance.
Naming an unchanged line-up for the first time this season with Michael Beauchamp and Nikolai Topor-Stanley keeping their centre back partnership, it looked to be a masterstroke as the Captain put the Red and Black ahead.
A Wanderers corner resulted in a goal-mouth scramble with a Jets defender clearing the ball off his line only to fire his kick into the shoulder of Western Sydney skipper Michael Beauchamp who turned the ball into the net.
Wanderers substitute Labinot Haliti nearly sealed it for the Wanderers when he fired a powerful low shot through a crowded penalty box that saw Mark Birighitti pull off a fantastic diving save.
Following a controversial decision to award a corner, Taggart snatched a draw for the Jets in the final minute of the match.
Drama ensued even after the final whistle when Taggart was brought down in a heavy challenge by Covic and when Griffiths remonstrated with referee Ben Williams he was shown a red card for dissent.
Newcastle Jets 2 (Taggart 26, 90)
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 ( Mooy 45, Beauchamp 65)
