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AAP
AAP
Sport
George Clarke

Goalkeeper Kurto a hero as Bulls secure vital ALM win

Macarthur goalkeeper Filip Kurto saved two penalties as his side fought back to claim their first A-League Men win in a month with a 2-1 victory over Wellington.

Kurto prevented spot-kicks from Oskar Zawada and Yan Sasse in the first half at Campbelltown Stadium to keep the Bulls in the game after Bozhidar Kraev's early opener for the Phoenix.

Goals from Ulises Davila and Mouddi Najjar complemented Kurto's heroics to seal Mile Sterjovski's first win as Macarthur boss.

Wellington have now dropped 20 points from winning positions across the current campaign.

The victory moves the Bulls into eighth spot - level on points with Wellington and Newcastle but behind those two sides on goal difference.

The Bulls got off to the worst possible start when a long ball over the top found Zawada in open space.

The Pole squared the ball for an on-rushing Kraev, who finished past Kurto to give the Phoenix the lead after just four minutes.

David Ball had a golden chance to double his side's advantage not long afterwards, and the near miss sparked the Bulls into life.

Davila had been busy all afternoon and it was the skipper who got them back level as he hoodwinked three defenders before finishing through the legs of Oli Sail in the 32nd minute.

Wellington were given two penalties by referee Alireza Faghani before the break, the first coming after Daniel Arzani clattered into Ball.

Zawada's effort was saved by Kurto and the Macarthur keeper was forced to prevent another spot-kick less than 90 seconds later when Kearyn Baccus felled Kraev inside the box.

This time Sasse stepped up, but again Kurto guessed the right way to keep his side level going in at half-time.

Najjar put Macarthur ahead straight after the break when he turned in a rebound and the Bulls were flying.

Davila added his name to the list of penalty misses but it mattered for little as Macarthur clung on for victory.

There was a hint of drama at the death with Najjar having a second goal ruled out for offside and Wellington having a late penalty appeal waved away after a push on Oskar van Hattum.

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