Goodwin strike earns Adelaide crucial points against Roar

Adelaide United bolstered their position in the top six with a gritty 1-0 triumph over fellow finals hopefuls Brisbane Roar.

Craig Goodwin’s fine early strike settled the matter for the Reds who also had custodian James Delianov to thank for pulling off an excellent first half penalty save from Joey Champness.

Those pieces of excellence from Adelaide’s attacking talisman and recalled number one were the difference-making moments that highlighted an otherwise cagey affair at Coopers Stadium.

The visitors Brisbane enjoyed a lot of second half possession but did never quite generate enough momentum to force an equaliser, while a solid and organised Adelaide side were content to keep the Queenslanders at arms length.

The result means Adelaide consolidate fourth position on the ladder, and put themselves four points ahead of the sixth-placed Roar.