Port Adelaide netted late to salvage a 2-2 draw against Modbury in Round 14 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at Pirate Park on Saturday. 

Scott Parkinson headed an 89th minute equaliser to ensure a share of the spoils. Earlier, the Pirates took an early lead through Hikaru Tanaka, only for the Jets to turn it around shortly before half-time through Fabian Rinaldo and Kieran Mcnally. 

Port coach Derek Hall believes it was a fair result. 

“It was a very good game between two sides fighting for points. They played well in the first half, we did in the second. A point each was fair,” Hall said. 

“We missed some good chances in the first half and then gave two goals away. Both came from our errors. We controlled the second half, but it took a long time to get that equalising goal. 

“I’m pleased the guys didn’t give up. We kept going to the end and picked up a valuable point given how other results went.” 

For Modbury tactician Jason Trimboli the performance was a step in the right direction. 

“I’m extremely happy with the team and the performance, devastated with the draw,” he said. 

“It was so disappointing at the end. At half time I said to consolidate and keep shape. We did that and I was happy with how we were going. However, we then let ourselves down on the set piece. 

“It’s another step in the right direction. The guys were disappointed with a draw, which shows how far we’ve come. We have shown plenty of character over the last few weeks.” 

The home side raced out of the blocks and Tanaka put Port ahead in the eighth minute. The Japanese player picked up a loose ball outside the penalty area and Jets goalkeeper Paul Reilly was unsighted as the shot sneaked into the corner. 

Moments later the lead was nearly doubled. James Skeffington hit the underside of the bar and Nick Mavromatis saw his shot on the rebound turned away by Reilly. 

Modbury took time to get into the contest, but was almost level just past the half hour mark as Michael Constantini’s shot was deflected on to the top of the crossbar. 

The Jets were presented a golden opportunity to equalise after Stephen Maio was brought down inside the penalty area in the 38th minute. Rinaldo converted confidently. 

The turnaround was complete two minutes later. Pirates coughed up possession in the middle of the field and the ball was slipped through to Mcnally, who finished neatly in the far corner. 

Pirates custodian Issac Carmody denied Maio from a tight angle after the interval, while at the other end after a mazy run substitute Jake Forrester could only hit Reilly. 

Maio’s cross saw Mcnally denied a sealing goal by a fine Carmody save, as the goalkeeper had to fly across goal to keep it out. 

As Pirates grew desperate in the final minutes, Parkinson’s near-post flick veered to the far post to secure a draw for the home side. 

Article by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta