Adelaide snatches a handy point

Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory have recorded a 1-1 draw in the grand-final rematch at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday.

A high-leaping Rodrigo Vargas put the visitors in front with a sweet header at the 80th minute but barely had time to celebrate with a hand-ball call against him three minutes later creating a scoring opportunity for the Reds.

A shot on goal from Adelaide midfielder Diego slammed into Vargas' arm and in turn the home side was awarded a penalty.

Travis Dodd took the shot and beat the left hand of Victory keeper Michael Theoklitos - much to the delight of the 12,231 crowd.

United continued to attack with a header from Nathan Burns crashing into the crossbar and a similar play from Travis Dodd just missing the target during injury time.

It is the third consecutive draw for both Adelaide and Melbourne this season.

The frenetic conclusion was an appropriate crescendo to an engrossing arm wrestle between two fierce rivals.

Kevin Muscat almost got his side off to the perfect start, the veteran heading the ball over the cross bar one minute into the contest.

It set the tone of early proceedings with the Victory controlling possession and looking threatening for the first 15 minutes.

In contrast Adelaide made a shaky start to its first home game of the season and it was well into the first half before it started to string some passes together.

Adding to United's concerns was a knee injury to Michael Valkanis - the skipper hobbling off the field at about 26 minutes.

But his replacement Diego added some spark to the midfield and the home side started to warm to the task.

In the 31st minute Richie Alagich recorded the Reds' first shot on goal - a sweetly timed volley from just outside to the box.

A minute later Melbourne's Adrian Caceres almost weaved his way through the opposition's defence but apart from that play it was United that finished with all the momentum.

Diego, Robert Cornthwaite, Paul Agostino and Cassio all had chances to hand their side a half-time lead but couldn't convert.
The Reds continued to attack in the second half with Burns swooping on a loose ball three minutes after the break while Alagich had two wild attempts from long range.

Cassio also improved his input and was starting to get more of the ball near the box.

But it wasn't all the home side with Melbourne generating its own chances -including three corners in four minutes.

The lift in intensity by both sides ensured there was plenty of feeling and plenty of fouls in a physical half that bubbled to life with the two goals in the final 15 minutes of play.

Vargas' goal - set up by a great cross from Caceres - sparked an exciting finish.

Both coaches were pleased with their team's efforts but were rueing missed opportunities during the dying minutes of the contest.

Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar says his side lifted their efforts after the break.

"I was really rapt how they came back in the second half. If we can get that together for closer to 90 minutes then we will get closer to a win," he said.

"We gave away a silly foul and once again our nemesis all season is our set pieces and once again we were punished."

Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick praised his team's defence and was philosophical about the draw.

"Second half