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AAP
AAP
Sport
Joel Gould

Roar hold Melbourne City in ALM stalemate

The Roar and A-League Men leaders Melbourne City have played out a scoreless draw in Brisbane. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Brisbane have held A-League Men competition leaders Melbourne City to a nil-all draw in a gutsy display at Redcliffe.

The home fans had their hearts in their mouths when City talisman Jamie Maclaren shot just wide in added time but it ended in a stalemate.

The Roar were not expected to trouble a City side that on paper looked superior, but it was a trademark gritty display where skipper Tom Aldred organised his defensive line to perfection to deny City's potent attacking players.

The draw kept City on 27 points and top of the ALM ladder with Brisbane on the cusp of the top six on 17 points.

The two sides struggled to get a clear shot on goal in the opening quarter. City marksman Maclaren got his head on the end of a cross after excellent leadup from Mathew Leckie and Valon Berisha but Roar goalkeeper Jordan Holmes was up to the challenge.

Brisbane skipper Tom Aldred then sorted out a mess in the box to unleash with a shot of his own and City custodian Thomas Glover likewise denied him.

The home side waited for their chance to counter attack and Joe Knowles had the best chance in the 35th minute when his left-footer went just wide. Jay O'Shea headed over after another slick passage of play as the Roar went into the break on a high despite City dominating possession.

The visitors started the second half with more zip with Leckie and Marco Tilio high on involvement. Maclaren tried to insert himself but the Roar mostly handled him well.

City pressed hard but the Roar backline held firm. Carlo Armiento, the Roar's leading goal-scorer this season, unleashed with a fierce shot in the 65th minute that was well saved.

Livewire fan favourite Henry Hore came on to provide spark and Armiento almost latched on to a winner in the 78th.

Roar coach Warren Moon brought on former Western United youngster and club debutant Ayom Majok at centre-forward late in search of a win.

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