Gold Coast United managed to hold off a fast-finishing Perth Glory at nib Stadium tonight.
Two penalties from Shane Smeltz were enough to overcome the Glory who were served by a 75th minute Adam Taggart effort in the 2-1 result which sent the victors within one point of third-placed Adelaide United.
The win was Gold Coast's 12th of the season whilst Perth copped their fourth defeat in a row, extending their winless run to seven matches.
A-League Week 26Perth Glory: 1 (Adam Taggart 74') Gold Coast United: 2 (Shane Smeltz (p) 33'/(p) 56')
Venue: nib Stadium, Perth Referee: Jarred Gillett Yellow cards:PG - Scott Neville 21', Jacob Burns 24', Jamie Harnwell 31' GCU - nil
It was a slow start to the match at nib Stadium with neither side able to get on top. Gold Coast were doing well to keep any Glory advances at bay, mainly through Dino Djublic who was performing admirably at the back.
GOAL The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute when veteran Jamie Harnwell made contact with Golgol Mebrahtu in the area, forcing referee Jarred Gillett to point to the spot. Shane Smeltz stepped up to the plate and dispatched it into the back of the net, sending Glory Tando Velaphi to his right.
Mebrahtu had to be replaced by Adama Traore after the challenge with what appeared to be either a shoulder or collarbone problem before Anderson struck well but Velaphi was equal to the task.
Perth gave away a second penalty in the 56th minute when Josh Mitchell brought down Traore after he received a lovely through ball. GOAL Smeltz again stepped up and this time fired into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.
Glory coach Ian Ferguson made some changes as he chased the game, bringing on Tommy Amphlette who made a smart run and produced a strong shot in the 62nd minute but Glen Moss was able to knock it to safety.
Less than six minutes later, Glory midfielder Steve McGarry tried his luck with a volley that inched over the bar before teenager Adam Taggart gave his side some hope with his first A-League goal in the 75th minute. GOAL The 17-year old marked his first match as a starter by volleying home with a neat side-footer after a header from a Glory teammate fell in his path.
The home side lifted after the goal as they attempted to give Harnwell a memorable send-off but they came up short to drop their fourth match in a row.
Starting Line-Ups
PG Tando Velaphi (gk), Josh Risdon (Amphlett 60'), Jamie Harnwell, Josh Mitchell, Naum Sekulovski (Howarth 60'), Scott Neville, Adriano Pellegrino, Jacob Burns, Steve McGarry (Griffiths 71'), Adam Taggart, Robbie Fowler
Subs - Alex Pearson (gk), Todd Howarth (60'), Tommy Amphlett (60'), Brent Griffiths (71')
GCU Glen Moss (gk), Steve Pantelidis, Dino Djulbic, Kristian Rees, Anderson, Zenon Caravella, Michael Thwaite, Peter Perchtold, Golgol Mebrahtu (Traore 33'), Shane Smeltz (Harold 90+1'), Tahj Minniecon (Fitzsimmons 73')
Subs - Scott Higgins (gk), Adama Traore (33'), Steve Fitzsimmons (73'), Chris Harold (90+1')
