A brilliant challenge from Novocastrian Clare Wheeler set up Kyah Simon to snatch a late equaliser and ensure the Matildas ended their calendar year with an unconvincing 1-1 draw with the United States.
In Australia’s final game before January’s Asian Cup, rival Ashley Hatch scored in the fourth minute before Simon equalised with a deflection in the 88th.
Looking to add experience to his defence after losing 3-0 in Sydney on Saturday, Gustavsson turned to Lydia Williams over Teagan Micah in goal, while Steph Catley shifted to centre-back and Tameka Yallop dropped into left-back.
Teenager Jessika Nash was dropped and Kyra Cooney-Cross started in midfield, while Hayley Raso replaced Caitlin Foord.
But, the US got off to another fast start despite a vociferous crowd of 20,495 at McDonald Jones Stadium – a record for the Matildas in Newcastle.
Gustavsson had stressed the importance of shutting down the USA’s transition game, but it proved his side’s undoing in the fourth minute.
Yallop turned the ball over and Margaret Purce streamed forward before cutting the ball back for an untracked Hatch, who coolly slotted past Williams.
Hayley Raso. Photo: Getty Images 
Tameka Yallop. Photo: Getty Images 
Sam Kerr. Photo: Getty Images 
Matildas fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday night. Photo: Getty Images 
Stephanie Catley. Photo: Getty Images 
Tameka Yallop. Photo: Getty Images 
Stephanie Catley. Photo: Getty Images 
Courtney Nevin. Photo: Getty Images) 
Kyah Simon. Photo: Getty Images
Lynn Williams fumbled an attempted header wide in the 11th minute while Hatch headed straight at Williams from close-range in the 16th.
Many of the Matildas’ best chances broke down through poor crosses but Kyra Cooney-Cross was inches away from her first international goal in the 21st minute when she looped a long-range shot into the post.
US captain Lindsey Horan almost made it 2-0 in the 34th minute but for Courtney Nevin’s last-ditch challenge.
Australia had a golden chance to level the scoring three minutes after half-time when Hayley Raso went on a blistering run then slipped the ball to Kerr, who made space under pressure but dragged her shot wide.
In the 58th minute, Lynn Williams tried her luck from range and forced Lydia Williams into a fantastic save.
As the game further opened up, Catley made a superb challenge to stop Morgan Weaver in her tracks in the 80th minute.
Eight minutes later Wheeler, a substitute in the 86th minute, bravely slid in on Ashley Sanchez and as she spun away pinched the ball before passing to Catley.
She in turn found Kerr, who worked it to Simon.
The 30-year-old, who missed a sitter in Saturday’s loss, saw her strike deflect off Becky Sauerbrunn before beating Casey Murphy in the US goal to salvage a draw much to the delight of the locals.
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