While they have one eye on those trying to knock them out of the top six, Sydney FC remain optimistic they can pinch a home A-League final after their brave 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory.

Defender Scott Jamieson says the strange nature of this season’s A-League, in which those around the fringe of the top six have been inconsistent, means the Sky Blues are as good a chance as any of sealing third or fourth place and a home elimination final.

Sixth-placed Sydney FC kept a four-point gap over those chasing them with Sebastian Ryall’s 90th-minute equaliser at AAMI Park on Thursday.

It was a deserved point after the visitors kept attacking a Victory side who sat back and were overrun in midfield.

It also kept up the Sky Blues’ penchant for late drama.

Two late goals sealed last weekend’s 2-1 win over Gold Coast, they conceded a last-gasp equaliser against Perth Glory before that, and leaked two goals in stoppage time to lose 2-1 to Brisbane Roar.

Jamieson admitted the unusual nature of the competition was working in Sydney’s favour, but maintained they were good enough to grab a home final.

“It’s the tale of our season – we’ve had to do things the hard way,” he said.

“The last few games, we’ve been playing decent football but not switching on at the right time and not concentrating, and we’re still in the six.

“It’s a difficult league, and a different one at times.

“It was important not to lose today to keep a little bit of a gap, and we’ve done that.”

Coach Vitezslav Lavicka said injured Brett Emerton, who left the field after just 30 minutes with a hamstring injury, was in doubt for upcoming matches.

“It was an unlucky moment for him – he felt the pain on his hammy so Sydney FC medical staff will look after him very intensively to get him ready as soon as possible,” Lavicka said of Emerton, who will have scans in the next few days.