Sheridan Gallagher equaliser before being sent off as Newcastle Jets earned a 2-2 draw at home to Canberra United in the Ninja A-Leauge.
Gallagher drew Newcastle level 20 minutes from the end prior to her dismissal for a second yellow card with two minutes of regulation remaining at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night.
There were concerns midway through the opening half with Jets star and Australia international Tash Prior – who has a history of concussions – was substituted after a clash of heads.
The Jets are ninth in the standings, seven points behind seventh-placed Canberra, who have lost one of their past six matches.
Newcastle made the perfect start at McDonald Jones Stadium, where Gooch’s stunning shot went in off the underside of the crossbar after just 10 minutes.
The Jets’ momentum was halted by a concerning moment involving star defender and CommBank Matildas defender Tash Prior, who clashed heads with Holly Murray in the 18th minute. Having already suffered six concussions throughout her career which led to her retirement in 2018-19 before returning in 2021-22, the stadium fell silent while she laid on the floor receiving treatment.
A Josephine Wilson own goal saw Canberra get back on level terms in the 24th minute before Heyman put the visiting side ahead six minutes later.
A sublime assist from Hayley Taylor-Young released Heyman, who made no mistake as she stormed through on goal.
At the other end, Taylor-Young was the hero on the stroke of half-time after clearing the ball off the line with her hip.
After hitting the post earlier in the second half, Newcastle were back on level terms 20 minutes from the end when Gallagher found the back of the net from close range, though she was later sent off for a second yellow card.
Bethany Gordon almost restored Canberra’s advantage with six minutes remaining but her shot cannoned off the crossbar.
