A STUNNING Eric Bautheac free-kick proved the difference as Brisbane Roar held on to beat Adelaide United 1-0 and keep their A-League finals hopes alive.
The Roar won at Suncorp Stadium for just the third time this season to move to within a point of the top six.
Sixth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers can stretch the margin between them and the Roar back out to four points by beating Perth Glory on Sunday.
However, the Roar at least remain in the hunt for the finals after outlasting the Reds on a humid Brisbane night in front of just 8237 fans,
Adelaide’s loss was their second on the trot and leaves them stranded in fifth spot, three points behind fourth-placed Melbourne Victory.
The only goal of the game came in the 41st minute from Frenchman Bautheac after teammate Fahid Ben Khalfallah was fouled on the edge of the penalty area by Reds defender Ryan Strain.
Bautheac did the rest, curling the free-kick over the wall and past hapless Adelaide goalkeeper Paul Izzo.
It was the highlight of an impressive display from Bautheac, who eventually succumbed to the heat in the 77th minute when he was replaced by Henrique.
Earlier, the Roar had the first genuine chance of the contest in the 20th minute.
It fell for Massimo Maccarone, who was beneficiary of an impressive build-up involving Thomas Kristensen and Ben Khalfallah.
Ben Khalfallah provided the final cross, but the veteran Italian striker couldn’t make the most of the chance, failing to hit the target from close range.
Nine minutes later Jordan O’Doherty, who the Roar want to bring to Brisbane next season, had a chance to give the Reds the lead.
But after a marauding run through the heart of the Roar’s midfield, O’Doherty’s shot was weak and easily dealt with by Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young.
The contest continue to flow from end to end, with Maccarone having another golden opportunity in the 30th minute.
But somehow, the former Empoli marksman again could not hit the target from close range after being picked out by a superb cross from Bautheac.
However, the Roar persevered and rewarded with the lead 11 minutes later through the magic of Bautheac.
Adelaide seemed certain to equalise via Nikola Mileusnic in the 54th minute after he ran on to a superb through ball from O’Doherty but Young stood tall to deny the Reds attacker.
Among the Roar’s best performers was defender Avraam Papadopoulos, who came into the match under the microscope after being sentenced to a suspended 30-month jail sentence in Greece for illegally betting on matches during his time with Greek club Olympiakos.
BRISBANE ROAR 1 (Eric Bautheac 41m) ADELAIDE UNITED 0 at Suncorp Stadium. Crowd: 8,237. Referee: Peter Green.
