Adelaide United savour victory after horror run

Adelaide United have snapped a run of four consecutive losses with hard-fought 1-0 win over Victory.

Andrew Nabbout of the Victory, right, was denied an equaliser in stoppage time. Picture: AAP

Adelaide United have snapped a run of four consecutive losses with hard-fought 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory at CoopersStadium.

The Reds returned to winning ways in Carlos Salvachua’s first game in charge of the Victory after former United boss MarcoKurz was removed midweek.

And it was Ben Halloran’s 32nd minute goal that was the difference.

After a jittery start from both sides with Adelaide mostly in control of the opening stages, Victory were awarded a penaltyafter nine minutes.

Referee Adam Kersey pointed to the spot after Robbie Kruse’s cross was judged to have struck the arm of Jordan Elsey. TheVAR then called Kersey over to check the replay before he then overturned his decision.

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A scrappy contest ensued before Kruse and Elsey were involved in a second claim for a Victory penalty after 23 minutes whenthe pair tangled inside the area.

Kersey waved play on and VAR agreed, much to the dismay of Kruse.

After controlling the majority of the first half, Halloran broke the deadlock for the Reds. Kristian Opseth was involved,teeing up Riley McGree, whose powerful shot from a tight angle could only be parried across the goal by Lawrence Thomas.Adama Traore attempted to clear before Halloran bundled the ball into the net.

Victory almost drew level minutes later, with Andrew Nabbout fed by Jakob Poulsen, but his shot from the edge of the areawent inches wide.

The visitors were much improved after the break and enjoyed a period of sustained pressure, forcing Reds keeper Paul Izzointo a number of saves. Elvis Kamsoba was first on 55 minutes, before both Nabbout and Traore also had attempts saved soonafter.

Nabbout should have equalised on 70 minutes when Kamsoba capitalised on an error in midfield from the Reds and squared a perfectball for his teammate. But the Victory No 9 skied the ball over the crossbar with just Izzo to beat. This appeared to spurAdelaide into action with McGree and Michael Maria both narrowly missing within minutes of each other.

Halloran stung the palms of Thomas in injury time with the Reds’ last effot, darting inside from out wide before unleashinga venomous drive.

Nabbout had another chance to draw level with the last kick of the game after he was put through by Kruse but Izzo was againequal to the task.

AAP