Louis Verstraete of Auckland FC reacts to a red card during the round 22 A-League Men match between ... bravely getting up to head home a Hiroki Sakai cross before clashing with Newcastle keeper ...

The race for the A-League Men premiers plate is set to kick up a gear after Newcastle snatched a 1-1 draw with 10-man leaders Auckland FC.

Newcastle have spurned a golden chance to upset 10-man Auckland FC, fighting out a 1-1 draw with the A-League Men leaders that keeps the race for the premiers plate alive.