A goal in the final 10 minutes has helped Adelaide United see off a stubborn Brisbane Roar 1-0 at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.
Riley McGree continued his stunning A-League form in front of goal, scoring the winner in the 84th minute after a tough afternoon for the Reds.
United had the best of a dour first half and they came closest after just three minutes when Michael Maria rattled a header off the crossbar.
The midfielder rose highest after a cross from Ryan Strain but hit the woodwork with Al Hassan Toure's shot from the rebound blocked by some desperate Brisbane defending.
Maria was involved again on 25 minutes, getting on the end of a cross from Ryan Kitto but his attempted bicycle kick was smothered.
Minutes later the Curacaoan turned supplier and drove a ball low and hard through Brisbane's penalty area which Toure turned in, but it was immediately chalked off with the young striker in an offside position.
Adelaide finished the half with a swift counter after Brisbane failed to make the most of a corner.
James Troisi released Toure who carried the ball 60 metres before cutting it back for Maria but his effort was again blocked.
Five minutes into the second half and United had their second goal correctly ruled out for offside, this time Nikola Mileusnic back-heeled a shot from Halloran into the net.
Brisbane lifted soon after and tested Adelaide on the counter before having their best chance from the resulting corner.
Roar played it short and teed up Scott Neville for a shot inside the area which was well-saved by Paul Izzo before Macauly Gillesphey's rebound was blocked.
Braden Inman should have done better with his chance on 62 minutes after he was played through on a fast break but Izzo again kept the scores level.
United finally had reason to celebrate on 84 minutes when McGree opened the scoring with Troisi largely responsible for carving out the breakthrough.
The Reds no.10 picked up the ball just outside the area and played a one-two with Mileusnic before driving to the touch line and supplying the cutback for McGree to tap into the net.
Brisbane substitute Aaron Holloway had looked lively since his introduction and forced Izzo into action again with a neat shot on the turn inside the area but the Reds' shot stopper was equal to the task.
Australian Associated Press
