Western United and Melbourne City play out top-of-the-table classic in A-League Men's league

Melbourne City boss Patrick Kisnorbo has praised his side for their best performance of the season despite their fightback against Western United only resulting in a 2-2 draw in an A-League Men classic.

With City going into the game at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon on top of the ladder, ahead of United only on goal difference, a winner would have seized the advantage in the race for the premiers' plate.

Initially it appeared that United would run away with the game courtesy of goals from Leo Lacroix and Rene Krhin in the opening half hour.

But City responded late in the first half via Connor Metcalfe before levelling through talisman Jamie Maclaren in the 66th minute.

«I think in the second half we dominated completely,» Kisnorbo said.

Befitting its status as a potential grand final preview, the first half provided a frenetic spectacle as both teams attempted to move the ball rapidly and displayed clear attacking intent.

That gave way to a second stanza in which United's league-leading defence was forced to batten down the hatches and survive a furious onslaught from City's potent attack, surrendering the lead but still doing enough to earn what coach John Aloisi called a «positive point».

Crowd numbers swelled by free entry for City members; the 8,127 in attendance was the second-largest home crowd in United's history.

«You know our fan base is only two years old, so that's going to grow,» Aloisi said.

«Hopefully they come back because they saw some great football.

»Tactically, it was a very good game and on top of that, it was exciting.

«We had four goals and the fans made the atmosphere as well.»

Chief among their missed opportunities, City had two chances cleared off the line by some desperate defending: Josh Risdon blocking