Leckie Saves his Coach

Adelaide United have drawn with Gold Coast United 1-1 to most likely save coach Aurelio Vidmar's job on Friday Night.

Vidmar was under an intense pressure heading into the game after making some rude comments at training during the week.

"What would you like me to do? I can chop their heads off... We can go to Saudi Arabia and do that."

The Gold Coast were the team under the pump as defender Kristian Rees was unfairly shown a straight red card for a challenge on Matthew Leckie in the 33rd minute.

The team from the Coast were lucky not to have two men down when debuting defender Zac Anderson pulled down Leckie, once again, by his shirt to stop him from a clear scoring opportunity.

Anderson was only shown a yellow as the Gold Coast were lucky to have ten men on the pitch.

The reds were absolutely dominating in the first half and were lucky not to score early in the second aswell.

In the 64th minute Zenon Caravella put in the perfect cross for a brilliant heading goal by Steve Fitzsimmons who scored only his second goal of the season - both against Adelaide.

Adelaide were again denied scoring opportunities as Kristian Sarkies did two amazing free kicks only to be cruelly denied by Gold Coast goal-keeper Scott Higgins.

But the exciting youngster Leckie came to haunt the travelling side scoring a brilliant goal outside of the box and past three defenders in the 93rd minute to get Adelaide back on level terms just before the 4 added minutes were over.

Adelaide again pressed after the Gold Coast kick-off but could not convert.

Next week Adelaide travel to the top of Australia to take on the North Queensland Fury on Saturday Night.

Crowd: 9578

Goals: Fitzsimmons 64', Leckie 90'+3

Bookings: Hughes 8', Anderson 45'+1, Brown 84'

Red Card: Rees 33'

Brisbane Shock Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium

Brisbane Roar has defeated Adelaide 2-0 at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday Night to go above them on the Hyundai A-League ladder.

Going into the game as unassailable favourites, United were shocked when Heinaldo was awarded a penalty early in the game, from which appeared to be a dive.

Scott Jamieson and all of Adelaide were furious when referee Craig Zetter stood by his ground.

Sergio Van Dijk had no problem slotting the penalty, as he proved to be one of the best strikers in Australia.

Adelaide had many of missed opportunities and should've converted on a number of occasions as the Roar defence was getting frustrated early, with 5 yellow cards - 3 for kicking or throwing the ball away.

Adelaide were lucky not to have gone down 3-0 after exciting young gun Mitch Nichols scored an uncounted goal.

But no one in Hindmarsh were complaining when Adelaide were awarded a penalty and surprisingly Lloyd Owusu was given the shot. Stand-In goal-keeper Griffin McMaster made an outstanding save to deny United a sniff in the game.

After the loss Adelaide have now dropped to 8th on the ladder.

On Friday week Adelaide United host out-of-form Gold Coast United at Hindmarsh Stadium. There is a one week break due to the FIFA International Break.

Crowd: 11,289

Goals: Sergio Van Dijk 35' (penalty), 51'

Bookings: Moore 25', Dodd 56', Franjic 61', Nichols 76', Karlovic 88'

Halloween Game ends Goaless

The Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United have played out a scoreless draw at Canberra Stadium on Saturday Night.

As the game was at a neutral venue, the result was favoured to be a draw, and it was an uneventful draw.

There were plenty of opportunities and exciting youngster Matthew Leckie was providing great run through the midfield.

Adelaide, however should have capitalised after Mariners defender Matthew Crowell sent off for his second bookable offence.

The Mariners also had many scoring opportunities especially with John Hutchinson heading a ball only not getting past the 'gate-keeper' Eugene Galekovic.

Matthew Simon was not firing whatsoever and was substituted early.

United also had a penalty appeal which was turned down by referee Ben Williams, which infuriated the Reds' coach Aurelio Vidmar.

Adelaide Captain Travis Dodd was brought back into the team that lost to Melbourne and deserved his place, bringing in many balls, and having a lot of Adelaide's 76% possesion domination.

Next week Adelaide take on Brisbane on Friday Night at Hindmarsh Stadium, needing to win to keep afloat in the table.

Crowd: 5437
Bookings: Matt Simon 25', Alex Wilkinson 52'. Scott Jamieson 71'
Red Card: Matthew Crowell 83'

Melbourne slaughter Adelaide to go top

RECORD-8-IN-A-ROW

Melbourne Victory have defeated Adelaide 3-1 for a record 8th time in a row to go top-of-the-table in front of just over 21,000 at Etihad Stadium on Friday Night.

In a forgettable night for Adelaide, against their arch rivals, Matthew Leckie's performance was the only shining light for a club now at the fringe of the top 6.

With Melbourne scoring two goals inside 56 minutes, thanks to a Mate Dugandzic double, the game looked done and dusted but a superb team goal from Adam Hughes on 64 minutes kept Adelaide in the contest.

It really was a night for up and coming youngsters as Leckie and Dugandzic both starring for their respective clubs.

The night went off with a bang, with Melbourne pressing and shooting at all costs proving to be the difference between winning and losing.

A weird situation occurred for Adelaide, with Captain Travis Dodd, and arguably Adelaide's best player Cassio both starting on the bench in one of the biggest games of the season - both did come on, but made little impact.

Adrian Leijer really stuck the knife in the back of Adelaide and it's supporters adding a third goal to Melbourne's tally in the 89th minute.

Adelaide were looking promising beforedhand, but all hope was lost as the Victory fans went wild.

This Saturday Night, Adelaide play a special Halloween match against the Central Coast Mariners, and hope to give them a treat in a one-off Canberra game.

Crowd: 21, 182

Goals: Dugandzic 18', Dugandzic 56', Hughes 64', Leijer 89'

Bookings: Sukha 51', Dugandzic 51'