Dodd's double sinks Victory

Adelaide United has recorded its second win of the season, and maintained its place in the top four, with a 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday.

The Victory conceded an own goal at the 14th minute and only minutes later were in trouble when Reds' skipper Travis Dodd scored from close range.

A solo effort from Archie Thompson during injury time of the first half gave Victory a glimmer of hope and their form after the break suggested the contest would have a tight finish.

But United were the better side overall and all but secured the three points when a Dodd header found its way to the back of the net at the 63rd minute.

Lucas Pantelis added some gloss to the performance with a sensational strike from outside the box beating the goalkeeper during the dying minutes of the clash.

It was a pleasing effort for the home side that was missing key players Nathan Burns (Under-23 National side) and Bruce Djite (ankle injury). They earned more than double the corners of their opposition and managed to keep their cool when the Victory challenged in the second half.

The form of the injury-plagued Dez Giraldi and Pantelis was pleasing too.

Melbourne lacked shape when under pressure, and missed the leadership of Kevin Muscat. It was the Victory's first loss of the season.

Melbourne Victory made a promising start to the game with Daniel Allsopp getting his head to two attacking balls in the opening minutes.

But from that point onwards it was all United; the home side controlling possession and pumping the ball regularly into attack.

A scorching 25-metre strike from Lucas Pantelis, which smashed into the cross bar, almost opened the account for the Reds.

But it was a Jason Spagnuolo corner that sparked the breakthrough score - his dipping kick deflected off Ljubo Milicevic - the Victory unluckily conceding an own goal.

There was no luck involved in the second Adelaide score with Travis Dodd deceiving an opponent, before pushing the ball into the left hand corner of the goal.

United continued to attack and were disappointed not to go further in front - Dez Giraldi had a couple of free shots but was flustered in his execution - while they were dangerous with all six of their corner kicks.

A rattled visiting line-up improved and became more competitive late in the first half. They were rewarded for their persistence in injury time when Thompson swooped on a loose ball and easily beat Daniel Beltrame in goals.

Melbourne got plenty of the ball after the long break, and had a couple of corner kicks, but Adelaide managed to absorb the pressure.

Its resolve allowed them to score a match-winning goal against the tide - Richie Alagich crossed a ball to Dodd who headed the ball past the left of a flat-footed Michael Theoklitos.

Dodd was predictably excited and beckoned the Hindmarsh Stadium crowd to get involved as well.

Ernie Merrick made several substitutions in a hope of generating a comeback but the Reds maintained their intensity and continued to create opportunities until the end.

Thompson remained a dangerous player, and had the Victory's last chance of the clash, but his dashing attempt was stopped by a diving Beltrame.

And his efforts were soon forgotten when a Pantelis strike cannoned into the top left hand corner of the net.

Adelaide United 4 Own goal 14, Dodd 15, 64, Pantelis 90+2
Melbourne Victory 1 Thompson 45+2
@ Hindmarsh Stadium. Crowd: 13,372