North Queensland Fury settled for a 1-0 win over Perth Glory after a spate of missed chances at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Friday night.
The Fury-s David Williams netted his first goal in the Hyundai A-League in the 32nd minute with a second-ditch header over the goalkeeper.
It should have been the first of at least four with 17 attempts on goal and eight corners but simple shots were skewered and possession fumbled as execution was again their downfall.
The Glory were never in the match except for a short burst after the break with a ‘Hail Mary’ long shot and in the dying minutes with sustained pressure in the box but could only manage six attempts on goal and five corners.
North Queensland had its first opportunity in the third minute with a slick attacking move finding Jeremy Brockie in front of goal but his shot was fired straight into the goalkeeper’s legs.
Matthew Smith thumped a long ball from the defensive line in the 26th minute which again found Brockie but he could not provide any power or direction with his header.
Paul Kohler fired the ball into the defenders which bounced into the path of Williams in the 32nd minute but his initial strike was blocked and was forced to head the rebound into the net to open the scoring.
The Fury could have doubled their lead in the 40th and 42nd minutes with a delicate through ball finding Brockie but his shot skewered wide and then a back pass was horribly left by him, Fowler and Daniel McBreen who were all open to shoot.
Perth was out to redeem itself after the break with Wayne Srhoj taking a long shot in the 47th minute but it drifted inches over the cross bar much to the relief of the back-pedalling goalkeeper.
North Queensland regained control with substitute Dyron Daal breaking the defensive shackles on three occasions but either could not chase down a through pass or get past he final defender.
Fowler was sent to the bench with an iced knee in the 63rd minute with Terry Cooke taking the field to grind the match out.
The Glory had their chances in the final stages but desperate defence denied them a repeat of last week’s last-gasp draw with Brisbane Roar.
North Queensland Fury 1 (Williams 32)
Perth Glory 0
Crowd: 5287 at Dairy Farmers Stadium
