With six teams in a dogfight for the last four finals positions Adelaide is well and truly embroiled in a battle to save their season.

Last night’s 1-1 draw with Melbourne City was not a spectacular performance from the Reds.

Rather it was a dreary effort, saved by a smartly-worked team move finished with conviction by the returning Johan Absalonsen.

United will happily take their point knowing that they are safe in sixth.

For now.

This season’s final race is shaping up to be the closest in years with four and a half rounds remaining.

Teams previously pushing to snatch Newcastle’s position in second are now fighting to ward off the likes of Perth, Western Sydney and Brisbane.

It is a testament to the inability of these sides to set themselves apart as genuine title contenders, and Adelaide coach Marco Kurz knows he needs more from his lads.

“It’s a hard road to reach the finals. We have 30 points and it’s my first year here, but I know that 30 points is not enough to reach the finals.”

“We need our main focus and homework to be on the next game against Newcastle and not on finals.

“We are not in a position to think about finals.”

When asked on what his side needed to rectify, Kurz was clear on what needed to be done.

“We must learn to play the final pass better. We have had good moments on the counter and in the transition game, but the final passes are not good enough to score a goal.

“To win games and get more points, we need this quality.”

City coach Warren Joyce was optimistic of his team’s form despite only taking one point from four matches.

The third-placed side sits nine points ahead of eight-placed Brisbane, who have a game in hand.

“It’s fine margins isn’t it. They’re those small things you continue to work on,” said Joyce.

“The pluses that you look at are performances.

“If you keep getting performances and you’ve got a consistency of what you’re looking for, you make your own luck and you make those things go your way.”

The congested mid table will make for fascinating viewing in these final rounds.

Let’s just hope that the rabble of remaining fans are stick around to watch it unfold.