Nabbout’s 94th minute strike crashed against the crossbar before bouncing down inches over the line to give City a second consecutive last-gasp win after a late victory over Buriram United in the previous round of matches.

Gen Shoji had handed the Australians the lead with an own goal barely 30 seconds into the game before Henry Mochizuki levelled in the 24th minute to leave Beach to put on a virtuoso performance between the posts to keep his team in the contest before Nabbout’s winner.

The result moves Melbourne City onto six points from four matches and a point clear of Machida, who remain on five points as the league phase reaches the midway point.