Adelaide United clinched third spot on the A-League ladder after disposing of arch rivals Melbourne Victory 2-1 at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
Captain Travis Dodd headed a dramatic winner in the 78th minute in front of 21,083 to set up an elimination final next week against Wellington Phoenix or the Newcastle Jets.
Prolific striker Archie Thompson came on in the second half to net a 65th minute equaliser for the Victory after Adelaide veteran midfielder Paul Reid had given United the lead just six minutes in.
Adelaide’s 10th home win of the season was achieved without leading A-League striker Sergio Van Dijk, who withdrew late with a thigh injury.
Fifth-placed Melbourne battled back on the slick cricket ground after Reid gave Adelaide a rousing start by threading a free kick through a ruck of players into goal in front of Adelaide’s biggest home crowd this season.
Reshaped Adelaide pegged Melbourne in their own half early with Dutch striker Andy Slory proving a menace to the Victory defence.
He was fouled by Victory defender Diogo Ferreira to hand Reid the chance to score.
Costa Rican midfielder Marvin Angulo started the Victory fightback, testing Adelaide keeper Eugene Galekovic three times from 20-metres out in the first half.
But it took the introduction of key men Carlos Hernandez and Thompson after almost 60 minutes to turn it around for Melbourne.
Adelaide held firm until Croatian defender Dario Bodrusic was dispossessed in the penalty area and Thompson slotted his fourth goal of the season.
Adelaide summoned their last reserves and wrapped up third spot from Gold Coast when Dodd glanced an Iain Ramsay free-kick into the corner of the net.
Hernandez nearly snatched an equaliser in the 88th minute when his deflected shot hit the post.
Adelaide coach Rini Coolen said it was important for his side to get confidence back with a win heading into the finals.
“Now everybody knows Adelaide is back in business,” he said.
“We started well in both halves but they came back into the game strongly.
“But you always know you’d get your chances to win in transition.”
Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick was pleased with the performance despite losing.
“I thought we played some of our best soccer of the season tonight,” Merrick said.
“We had twice as many shots on goal as Adelaide.
“On another day I thought we would have buried them.”
Melbourne face an elimination final against Gold Coast United next week.
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