An under-strength Melbourne City have paid the price for their FFA Cup exertions, limping to a 1-1 A-League draw with Brisbane Roar.
The Roar brought discipline and verve to Saturday night's contest, and were good value for their lead when Jamie Maclaren netted on 38 minutes.
A brain fade from Jade North allowed Nicolas Colazo to equalise early in the second half, setting in train a hectic finish to the match.
The pre-game war of words between coaches John van 't Schip and John Aloisi always threatened to boil over into the match, and it did on 54 minutes.
As City hunted an equaliser, North was guilty of over-reacting to a spat with Bruno Fornaroli, falling to the ground clutching his head.
Replays showed North dived, with the Uruguayan making minimal contact and nowhere near his face.
City played on and hurt Brisbane when Colazo netted the equaliser by running onto Nick Fitzgerald's neat back-heel.
Such was the emotion on display that goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis was booked for excessive celebrations in front of the Roar bench.
In an intense contest, referee Shaun Evans lost his bearings, with several head-scratching decisions or non-decisions that had City enraged.
In the argy-bargy, there was no third goal, meaning Brisbane recorded a fourth-straight 1-1 draw.
The Roar were unlucky not to beat City for the second time this season.
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