The Socceroo's equaliser in the 44th minute inspired his team to their first victory of the campaign and condemned Roda to their third straight defeat. Adam Sarota and Michael Zullo were unused substitutes in Utrecht’s victory.

Elsewhere in the Eredivisie, Brett Holman played a half as AZ Alkmaar disposed of FC Groningen 3-0.

In the English Premier League, Sydney FC bound Brett Emerton could not get the fairytale ending he deserved despite two penalties as his Blackburn side suffered a cruel 1-0 defeat at the death by an extremely fortunate Everton side that saw Tim Cahill come on a substitute.

Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and his Fulham team remain winless after two goals from Leon Best inspired Newcastle to a 2-1 win at St James's Park.

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish lavished praise on young Australian Chris Herd after he put in a man-of-the-match performance in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton in the Premier League.

In the Championship, Patrick Kisnorbo took his place in the centre of Leeds United defence but it wasn’t enough to stop a late Ipswich fightback. Despite a positive start thanks to Ross McCormack, Keith Andrews ensured all three points for the Tractor Boys with a 90th minute winner.

Down at the Riverside, Rhys Williams started for Middlesbrough as they were denied a sixth straight league victory courtesy of a Jutkiewicz equaliser for Coventry 15 minutes from time while Neil Kilkenny played 60 minutes for Bristol City in their 1-1 draw with Doncaster Rovers.

Elsewhere, Mile Jedinak started his second consecutive match for Crystal Palace as they earned a 1-1 draw at home to Blackpool and over at the KC Stadium, Adam Federici’s Reading continued their recent poor form with a 1-0 loss away to Hull thanks to a superb strike from Irish teenager Robbie Brady.

Over in Russia, Socceroo Luke Wilkshere and Dinamo Moscow consolidated themselves in third spot with a 2-0 win over Spartak Nal’chick at the Arena Khimki.

In Scotland, Ryan McGowan returned to the starting line up for Hearts as they managed a goalless draw in their second leg clash against Tottenham midweek but was not named in the Heart’s squad that defeated Hibs over the weekend in the Scottish Premier League.

Nikita Rukavytsya was an unused substitute in Hertha Berlin’s 1-0 triumph over Stuttgart while elsewhere in the Bundesliga, Matthew Leckie came off the bench with just over 15 minutes remaining but could not prevent Borussia Mochengladbach suffering a 1-0 defeat to Schalke at the Veltins-Arena.

In 2.Bundesliga, Robbie Kruse was an unused substitute in Fortuna Dusseldorf’s goalless draw with Alemannia Aachen.

Across in Italy’s Serie B, Socceroo Carl Valeri played another 90 minutes as his Sassuolo defeated Nocerina 3-1 at the Stadio Alberto Braglia.

Moving over to Asia in the J-League, Josh Kennedy continued his red-hot form with Nagoya, finding the net in their 4-1 win over Ventforet.

Elswhere in Japan, Alex Brosque played the full 90 minutes and countrymen Eddie Bosnar came off with a possible concussion as Shimizu failed to find the back of the net in their goalless draw with Yokohama Marinos while Matthew Spiranovic and his Urawa Red Diamonds suffered to a 3-1 defeat away to Cerezo Osaka.

Mark Milligan put in a full shift as his JEF United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Kyoto Sanga in J2 League action

In the K-League, Sasa Ognenovski helped keep a clean sheet with a solid performance in Seongnam’s 1-0 win over Daegu but Luke DeVere wasn’t so lucky as his Gyeongnam suffered a 1-0 loss away to Pohang Steelers.

Elsewhere in Korea, Iain Fyfe returned to Busan I’Park’s starting 11 but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 3-2 loss at home to Jeonbuk Motors.

Former Adelaide United defender Robbie Cornthwaite’s and his Chunnam Dragons defeated Sangju to move on level points with Busan.

In the 1.HNL Croatian League, Steve Lustica played 60 minutes as Hajduk Split played out a 1-1 draw with RNK Split in the local derby.

Ante Covic was an unused substitute yet again for Swedish outfit Elfsborg, during their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Malmo in Allsvenskan action while over in the Danish Superliga, Nathan Coe ensured Sonderyske got the better of Odense 4-2 and as a result move up into third place.

In League One, Alex Cisak and James Wesolowski put in full shifts as Oldham were trounced 4-1 by Chris Coyne's former club, Colchester United.

And in League Two, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff’s Shrewsbury came from behind to defeat Swindon Town 2-1 at Greenhous Meadow.