A gritty performance from Brisbane Roar had yielded a valuable three road points in Perth against a desperate Glory outfit.
A gritty performance from Brisbane Roar had yielded a valuable three road points in Perth against a desperate Glory outfit.
Both sides were missing key personnel in a match which neither side could afford to lose as they chased a top six finish come season-s end.
Glory had two early chances to take the lead with Chris Harold seeing his goal-bound shot blocked by Matt Jurman, while an unmarked Travis Dodd missed an open goal following a cross from the left by Ryo Nagai.
Brisbane it was who took the lead though when James Meyer smashed a shot from 25m into the near post and past a diving Danny Vukovic.
As the half wore on, both sides looked to probe for a clear cut opening, but decent chances were hard to come by.
Each team had attacking opportunities from hard won corners, but neither could find a decisive strike on goal.
Mitch Nichols had a rare opportunity when a Thomas Broich shot fell at his feet, but his shot on the turn was well saved low by Vukovic.
It proved to be the final real chance of the half as Brisbane took a 1-0 advantage into the sheds.
Perth Glory had a golden opportunity to draw level eleven minutes after the restart when Michael Theo committed himself to a clearing header outside of the box, only to be dispossessed on the follow up.
Nick Ward ran in on goal, but with only Ivan Franjic on the line lifted his shot over the bar.
Corey Brown then put his body on the line to prevent a Dodd effort getting close to the Roar goal as Perth looked to stretch the Brisbane defence.
Michael Thwaite was next to threaten for the home side, but his weak shot from a loose ball in the box was directed straight at Theo.
Brisbane had to absorb plenty of pressure and when presented with a rare chance Vukovic was in the way, tipping a Luke Brattan free-kick over the bar.
Down the other end Theo had to be on his toes to beat away a fierce shot from substitute Storm Roux.
Nichols then watched a deflected shot dribble agonisingly the wrong side of the post as the match began to open up.
Theo was called into action again a short time later, saving well from a Nagai header from the edge of the box.
Brisbane were living on the edge of their nerves and a Theo save on the goal line, followed by a Broich clearing header from even closer in was all that kept Brisbane-s lead intact.
Head Coach Mike Mulvey said he was delighted for the players to have gotten some reward from plenty of effort.
“The key thing is we’ve drawn a line in the sand and we want to make sure we get something out of this season,” Mulvey said.
“I’m ecstatic for the players.
“We’ve got players in there tonight who showed how committed they are to the cause and it’s a great credit to them.”
Perth Glory 0
Brisbane Roar 1 (Meyer 16)
at nib Stadium, Perth
Referee: Alan Milliner
Perth Glory: 1. Danny Vukovic (GK), 2. Jack Clisby, 5. Steve Pantelidis, 6. Nick Ward, 11. Adrian Zahra (22. Ndumba Makeche 75-), 12. Ryo Nagai, 13. Travis Dodd (capt), 14. Steven McGarry, 17. Chris Harold (15. Brandon O-Neill 80-), 21. Scott Jamieson, 23. Michael Thwaite (24. Storm Roux 65-).
Substitutes not used: 30. Lewis Italiano (GK).
Yellow cards: McGarry (26)
Red cards: Nil
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael Theo, 4. Matthew Jurman, 5. Ivan Franjic, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 11. Ben Halloran (14. Steven Lustica 77-), 15. James Donachie, 17. Mitch Nichols (12. Julius Doe 90-+2), 18. Luke Brattan, 21. James Meyer (19. Jack Hingert 65-), 22. Thomas Broich (capt), 26. Corey Brown.
Substitutes not used: 20 Matt Acton (GK).
Yellow cards: Halloran (40-), Meyer (52), Hingert (71-)
Red cards: Nil
