Powerful Japanese striker Hiroshi Ibusuki has come off the bench for a late equalizer on debut for Adelaide United in an A-League main draw with Melbourne City.
Defending champion City finished the match with 10 men and the Reds missed a penalty before newly-signed Ibusuki scored 15 minutes into his debut.
City began to dominate most of the proceedings at Coopers Stadium and eventually broke the deadlock in 24 minutes via Andrew Knabout.
Conor Metcalf threaded a pass through Matt Leckie, who took a cross towards the low and hard post with a nababout ahead of Ryan Kitto to tap into the net.
Craig Goodwin threatened for Adelaide and was involved in the scoring opportunity on 33 minutes, whipping into a cross for George Blackwood, who managed to get a touch on the ball but could not direct it towards goal .
The pair reunited on the hour to draw Adelaide, with Goodwin passing low and hard after receiving a long switch of defense from Jacob Tratt.
Blackwood reached the first cross and his opening shot was saved by Tom Glover, but the rebound came off the striker and went into the back of the net.
Parity did not last long with City restoring their lead to striker Jamie McLaren, who had been largely turned away.
Nabbout fed a pass through for Leckie, who provided an overlapping run before supplying a cutback to McLaren, who stunned Joe Gossi in the Reds' goal in the 66th minute.
United were awarded a penalty five minutes later, but not without interference from VAR.
Javi Lopez looped a cross at the back post, which Goodwin carried to the goal face, and Blackwood shaped to shoot, having his shirt tuged by Nuno Reis.
Upon review, Chris Beeth awarded a spot kick and issued a second yellow card to Rees. Goodwin stepped up but his penalty was skillfully saved by Glover.
Ibusuki's introduction off the bench proved invaluable to the Reds.
In the 84th minute, Stefan Mauk hit a header to Goodwin's corner. It was held out by Glover but fell for Ibusuki to sweep the ball into the net at the turn.
City coach Patrick Kisnorbo thought Rees' departure was significant.
"I thought we controlled the game until Nuno was dismissed and then things changed," he said.
"But I thought we showed good character even with 10 men."
Reds coach Karl Wert was disappointed that they did not win.
"But I'm very happy with the effort the boys put in, the way they play, the way they go about their football," Wert said.