City strike late to hold Honda-less Victory

Melbourne City equalised in injury-time as they held Melbourne Victory to a dramatic 1-1 draw at AAMI Park and end their rivals winning streak.

Victory's Japanese star Keisuke Honda was a late withdrawal for precautionary reasons and City ultimately made the most of his absence. 

A frantic first-half saw both sides exchange half chances with James Troisi going closest to opening the scoring for Victory after half an hour.

Lachlan Wales would then spurn a good chance to strike for City just before the break with a heavy touch allowing Lawrence Thomas to smother the ball.

After half-time, Kevin Muscat's side would find the breakthrough as Kosta Barbarouses picked out Ola Toivonen at the back post to guide home the opening goal in the 55th minute.

Without their own star in Bruno Fornaroli, City looked like they'd fail to find an equaliser until Dario Vidosic stepped up in injury-time to head home a pin-point Scott Jamieson cross. 

The 1-1 result seeing City deny Victory a seventh straight win and ensure Perth Glory aren't knocked off the A-League summit.