In a dull first half, the first goal came from the familiar combination of Diego Castro and Chris Ikonomidis as the captain put in a low cross for the new Socceroos forward to deftly flick past Vedran Janjetovic.

There didn't look to be an answer from the Wanderers as they gave up the ball time and time again, only for Elrich to take a hopeful shot from distance that somehow found its way into the back of the net.

It was to be the last meaningful kick of the game and Western Sydney will be happy to take a point from the champions, even if the performance didn’t deserve it, while Perth will be looking to ensure they do not slip up and give their chasers a sniff at the Premiership.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Vedran Janjetović – 6.5

It’s hard to say if Janjetović could have saved the goal because it was from such close-range, but he made a big save to keep his team in the game when Andy Keogh only had the goalkeeper to beat to double the lead.

Abraham Majok – 6

In an unfamiliar position as the left-back, it’s hard to be too critical for Majok. His natural instinct is to go forward, which left his team open on the counter-attack.

Tass Mourdoukoutas – 6

The 19-year-old had an average display, though he might want to work on his sprint speed as he lost a foot-race against the aging Andy Keogh.

Tarek Elrich – 7

Given the captaincy in lieu of the absent Hamill, he was partially at fault for conceding, but more than made up for it with a hopeful shot in the dying moments to find the equaliser.