City, Auckland trade howlers in dramatic ALM draw

But City are lamenting missing a golden opportunity to deal Steve Corica's charges their first defeat, slipping to a 2-2 draw after Beach let a Neyder Moreno free kick go straight through his hands for the equaliser in the 95th minute.

"Look, we know young keeper, first senior games this season," coach Aurelio Vidmar said. 

"I said at the beginning of the season, we know he's going to make mistakes, and he has to learn, has to grow, and you better be a green tomato rather than a red tomato. 

After the draw with Auckland, the blue shirts of City face a derby clash with Melbourne Victory. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

"So growing is part of it. The more you're in there, the more games you play, the better you're going to become."

Vidmar wouldn't confirm whether Beach would keep his spot ahead of veteran Jamie Young for next Saturday's derby.

"Look, I don't know what's going to happen next week," Vidmar said.

"We've got a short turnaround, but we did make a decision at the beginning of the season, this is what we're going to do - and you don't know what's going to happen in terms of any particular game, there may be a change.

"But we made the decision, 'no, we're going to go ahead (with Beach)' and we know we'll have to put up with some of those errors. He's just got to grow. He's got to learn from it and and be better next time."

Beach's error cancelled out a blunder from Auckland counterpart Alex Paulsen, who failed to control Nando Pijnaker's strongly-hit backpass and watched in horror as the ball nestled in his own net in the 79th minute.

NIGHTMARE FOR AUCKLAND FC 😱 That is a seriously cruel bounce.— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) Moments after they had a goal disallowed, Alex Paulsen can't control Nando Pijnaker's back pass - and @MelbourneCity lead!Football is a crazy game.Watch #MCYvAKL live & exclusive on Paramount+. pic.twitter.com/qUKNULzpLMDecember 15, 2024

"There's no excuses. We made a mistake, and it cost us the goal," Corica said.

"We probably could have cleared the ball. Went back to Alex. He obviously took his eye off the ball and it went in. 

"But to be fair to Alex, he's been sick all week, so he's only trained once this week, so it's been a tough week for him.

"But the boys got back into the game, and I'm really pleased with the performance and the character and the willingness to get back into the game and almost go and win it."

A mix-up between Auckland's keeper Alex Paulsen (pictured) and Nando Pijnaker gave City a 2-1 lead. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

Earlier, City youngster Medin Memeti scored in the 18th minute, just the second goal Auckland have conceded and the first time they have gone behind, before Guillermo May responded in the 53rd.

Auckland appeared to have taken the lead via Neyder Moreno in the 74th minute but the goal was contentiously chalked off as Jake Brimmer was offside in the lead-up.

Then the game descended into chaos.

Auckland (19 points) lead Adelaide United (17), Melbourne Victory (16) and Aurelio Vidmar's City (13).

The result sets up a blockbuster Melbourne derby between Victory and City next Saturday, when Auckland will host Western United.

Auckland were without first-choice trio Dan Hall (broken ankle), Cam Howieson (calf) and Louis Verstraete (back) through injury against City.

Corica hoped Verstraete could return against United but Howieson will miss five weeks while Hall is sidelined indefinitely - potentially for two or three months.