Victory go top
Melbourne Victory has ground out a 2-0 win over Adelaide United at Etihad Stadium to take top spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder and remain on track for the defence of the Premiers' Plate.
While it wasn't the defending champions' most emphatic performance of the year, Melbourne snatched a very early lead through Tom Pondeljak after just 22 seconds of the match and held onto it until Kevin Muscat scored a last-minute penalty to take their winning streak against Adelaide to nine straight.
Their success put them on top of the table and while Sydney can take top again with a win over Newcastle on Sunday, Melbourne has a game in hand against Wellington on Tuesday, where a win would put it clear by a minimum of two points with three matches remaining.
The defeat means Adelaide, which remains bottom, is now eight points adrift of the top six and will likely miss the finals after finishing second last season. But Aurelio Vidmar can at least take some heart that the Reds put up an honourable performance against a team which is looming as the one to beat again this season.
North Queensland Fury minus marquee striker Robbie Fowler drew 1-1 with Brisbane Roar at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
The former England and English Premier League player refused to take the field and even sit on the bench amid rumours he was unhappy with the 4-3-3 formation chosen for the encounter.
Luke De Vere headed the ball across the face of the goal and the keeper with just enough weight to cross the line and open the scoring in the 49th minute.
David Williams pummelled the ball past the defenceless goalkeeper to level the scores in the 55th minute.
A 10-man Newcastle outfit has come from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC in an enthralling Round 21 National Youth League match at Adamstown Oval.