Gold Coast United have been held to a 0-0 draw by Adelaide United at Skilled Park tonight.
In a lacklustre contest, Gold Coast managed to claw their way back into fourth position on goal difference to Melbourne Victory whilst the Reds could only go within three points of second-placed Central Coast Mariners, spoiling their chances of a top-two finish and a double chance in the finals.
Adelaide had midfielder Paul Reid sent off with just under ten minutes remaining of regular time but the home side were unable to make the most of the man advantage, forcing the Reds into their first drawn result in 18 matches.
A-League Week 25Gold Coast United: 0 Adelaide United: 0
Venue: Skilled Park, Robina Crowd: 2,130 Referee: Chris Beath Yellow cards:GCU - Peter Perchtold 33' AU - Adam Hughes 37' Red card:AU - Paul Reid 81'
Gold Coast were enjoying more of the play in their attacking third in the opening 20 or so minutes but coach Miron Bleiberg was forced to make a change when Bruce Djite had to come off for Joel Porter with an ankle injury in the 26th minute.
Adelaide began to get on top from a possession point of view as the first half progressed but neither side could really bother their opposing defence in what was a lacklustre opening 45 minutes.
The home side had an early opportunity in the second term when Adama Traore found himself one-on-one with Reds keeper Eugene Galekovic but he was unable to get a strong shot on as the experienced gloveman cut away the angle nicely.
Gold Coast continued with their attacking game plan as they strived to get themselves back into the top four but Adelaide also had plans of their own to stay in with a chance of finishing second on the table.
As with the first half, neither side was testing the opposing keeper even though there were enough shots off target and the game look destine for a scoreless draw.
There was a long break in play when Adelaide's Paul Reid and Gold Coast's John Curtis clashed just outside the Reds area, with the Englishman coming off second best. It appeared that Curtis had been knocked out and required a stretcher to bring him from the pitch in a neck brace. After, he left the field of play, referee Chris Beath sent Reid from the pitch with a straight red card for a raised leg which was questionable.
Gold Coast were denied a goal in the 86th minute when Peter Perchtold's shot was deflected by Cameron Watson into the path of substitute Tahj Minniecon who had an open goal beckoning but Reds midfielder Francisco Usucar got in with a vital challenge which forced the match into a 0-0 draw.
Starting Line-Ups
GCU Glen Moss (gk), John Curtis (Z.Anderson 81'), Kristian Rees, Dino Djulbic, Adama Traore (Minniecon 67'), Anderson, Michael Thwaite, Steve Pantelidis, Peter Perchtold, Bruce Djite (Porter 25'), Shane Smeltz
Subs - Scott Higgins (gk), Joel Porter (25'), Tahj Minniecon (67'), Zach Anderson (81')
AUEugene Galekovic (gk), Cameron Watson, Nigel Boogaard, Robert Cornthwaite, Cassio, Adam Hughes, Marcos Flores (Reid 69'), Francisco Usucar, Travis Dodd (Slory 69'), Sergio van Dijk, Mathew Leckie (Ramsay 53')
Subs - Mark Birighitti (gk), Iain Ramsay (53'), Andy Slory (70'), Paul Reid (70')
