Melbourne Victory have gutted out a 2-2 draw with the league's benchmark side, Brisbane Roar. The match, in particular the first half, was full of controversy as two Victory players were sent off and the home side had to hold out for almost an hour with just nine men on the field.

Keeper Ante Covic was dismissed in the opening minute for a professional foul on Besart Berisha, and when Henrique converted the subsequent penalty, most people would have considered the game lost. It's hard enough to outscore the Roar - no one has for 33 games now - but to try to reel in a deficit while undermanned seemed futile.

As it turns out, though, Archie Thompson is not most people. On eleven minutes, he pounced on a bouncing ball at the edge of the box and slipped it over former Victory keeper Michael Theoklitos. Eleven minutes later, he latched onto a glorious long Harry Kewell through-ball, danced all over the penalty box, and drove his side into the lead.

It was a majestic goal, a true team lifter. For a brief moment, the home fans began dreaming of a most implausible win.

From there, however, it all fell apart for Victory. Thomas Broich equalised when he drove a free kick under the wall, and then Matthew Foschini earned a straight red for a crude challenge on 37 minutes. It was a game-changing moment and it left Victory's dreams of ending the Roar's streak in tatters.

For the remaining hour, it was all Brisbane. They moved the ball clinically, patiently, constantly finding loose options around the box. They repeatedly assaulted Victory's goal-line. It seemed inevitable that they would pull ahead, if not immediately then when the extra workload wore Victory's players down.

Roar finished with 20 shots on goal to Melbourne's six, but Victory held firm. Despite all that went against them and the magnitude of the task, they dug deep and kept the Roar out. By the end, Brisbane's midfielders were visibly frustrated and noticeably less patient in pursuit of the winner.

Full credit is due to back-up keeper Lawrence Thomas. It should not be forgotten that on the eve of the season, Victory opted to sign a 36-year-old with no knowledge of the club ahead of Thomas in goal. His performance tonight is his first step on the way to redemption.

And so, Brisbane have their first "blemish" on their season. Still, the draw extends their lead at the top of the table to four points, after Perth Glory stumbled in Newcastle. A quickfire double from Jeremy Brockie in the opening ten minutes was enough to decide that match.

Victory lie in fifth place, pending tomorrow's result. However, they can walk away from this match with the knowledge that, even in the face of monumental adversity, they can match it with the best.