A-League: Brisbane Roar 1 Perth Glory 1

Brisbane Roar extended their unbeaten streak to 20 games but had to do it the hard way in a 1-1 draw with Perth Glory on Friday.

On a wet and greasy night in Brisbane, the table-topping hosts lacked their usual sharpness and surrendered a shock first-half lead to the Glory.

But Mile Sterjovski’s opener was cancelled out in the second half by a Mitch Nichols strike engineered by Brazilian livewire Henrique, who was brought off the bench just minutes before setting the stadium alight with the creativity that his side were missing.

The draw puts Brisbane within striking distance of conquering the all-time Australian domestic record of 22 matches undefeated, set during the 1987 National Soccer League season.

Despite starting strongly, Brisbane found themselves behind in the 31st minute when former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler combined with Sterjovksi to put the visitors ahead.

Perth continued to attack and nine minutes into the second half Sterjovksi should have had a second when Jamie Coyne crossed him in on the counter, but his attempt went straight to Roar keeper Michael Theoklitos.

Henrique was introduced for Massimo Murdocca just before the hour mark and the Brazilian gave the restless Roar the spark they desperately needed.

His pace on the left-hand side turned out to be an Ange Postecoglou masterstroke as he bamboozled Josh Mitchell on the wing and weighed in a perfect cross met by Nichols to even the ledger after 63 minutes.

Brisbane could not find a winner despite controlling the last half-hour and will have to be satisfied with a solitary point.