Sydney FC secured their place in the A-League Grand Final after a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout win over Newcastle Jets on Saturday, following a 1-1 draw in the second leg that left the tie level at 2-2 on aggregate.

Ben Garuccio converted the decisive spot-kick after Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares produced a crucial save to deny Xavier Bertoncello, silencing much of a packed McDonald Jones Stadium crowd.

Patrick Kisnorbo’s side will now chase a record-extending sixth league title against Auckland FC, after the first leg in Sydney also ended 1-1.

“I had my spot in mind and I was confident,” Garuccio said after scoring the winner. “It worked out. The boys were excellent.

“I think Devenish-Meares has been the best goalkeeper in the league by a mile.”

Piero Quispe gave Sydney FC the lead in the 64th minute, and the visitors looked set to hold on as they defended resolutely and edged within seconds of securing victory. However, Newcastle winger Eli Adams produced a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in the sixth minute of added time to send the match into extra time.

Newcastle, who had already lifted the Australian Cup in the off-season and secured the Premier’s Plate for finishing top of the regular-season table, saw their hopes of completing a historic “triple crown” end just one trophy short.

“We’ve had so many amazing memories this year. Football can be cruel at times, but I’m incredibly proud of what this team has achieved together, along with the fans,” said Newcastle playmaker Max Burgess.

In a fast-paced, end-to-end contest, neither side could break the deadlock until Sydney striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos burst down the right wing and delivered a trademark cross to 16-year-old Akol Akon.

Akon’s effort was saved by Newcastle goalkeeper Nik Tzanev, but Peruvian midfielder Quispe reacted quickest to the rebound, finishing calmly to put Sydney ahead.

Newcastle pressed relentlessly in search of an equaliser, but Sydney held firm under sustained pressure.

With the game almost over, Daniel Wilmering delivered a low cross into the box, where Adams met it on the volley to spark wild celebrations and force the match into extra time.

Sydney FC came agonisingly close to winning it in extra time when Alexandar Popovic rose highest at a corner, only to direct his close-range header straight at Newcastle goalkeeper James Delianov.

Delianov then gave Newcastle hope in the shootout by producing a superb diving save to deny Joe Lolley’s opening penalty.

However, Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares quickly swung the momentum back his side’s way, responding with a brilliant stop of his own to keep out captain Kosta Grozos before also saving Xavier Bertoncello’s effort.

That double intervention paved the way for Ben Garuccio to step up and convert the decisive penalty, sending Sydney FC through and setting up another shot at the title in Auckland next week.