Adelaide United failed to impress its new consortium of owners against a struggling Melbourne City after stumbling to a 1-1 draw at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday Night.

Goals to Johan Absalonsen and Stefan Mauk on either side of half time forced the two sides to settle for a point apiece.

It was a result neither side were looking for. The visitors fail to break their three match winless streak whilst Perth and Brisbane are now breathing down the neck of a United side running on fumes.

Despite the match beginning at the pace of a slow trot the Hindmarsh atmosphere was warmed up with no less than five yellows were dished out.

The most notable were awarded to Marco Kurz – his umpteenth booking of the season – and Jordan Elsey for a dangerous tackle on starlet Daniel Arzani.

Elsey would later give away a penalty in the 33rd minute after a sloppy-at-best tackle on Dario Vidosic.

Calls for a second yellow fell on deaf ears as Fornaroli eyed off the spot-kick.

However the Uruguayan’s shot was superbly saved by an energised Paul Izzo, parrying the blast away to the left.

The cagey affair was heading for a goalless first half before fabulous build up play from Adelaide set up the opening goal in time-on.

Nikola Miluesnic took the ball on the right and loitered across the edge of the box, finding a forward rushing Nathan Konstandopolous to put him through on goal.

The young midfielder showed composure in close, playing a smart cut back across the box to Absalonsen to rifle home the opener on his return.

City were quickest out of the blocks at the resumption of play and levelled proceedings in the 53rd minute.

Izzo did well to get a hand to Arzani’s wonderful cross, though he was let down by a lethargic defence on the rebound.

Stefan Mauk made it to the ball minutes before any defender, taking his time to prop and place the ball across the Reds keeper from 10 yards.

Melbourne City thought they had scored the go ahead in the 79th minute when Arzani bundled home a Fornaroli effort off of the bar.

But after a strange 10 seconds of deliberating the linesman correctly raised his flag with Bruno offside as the cross flew in.

Substitute Nick Fitzgerald spurned a strong opportunity late on as he weaved past Ben Garuccio with speed before his curling shot flew past the left upright.

Adelaide United 1 (Absalonsen 46′)

Melbourne City 1 (Mauk 53′)

Coopers Stadium (7668)

Referee: Chris BEATH

Assistant Referees: Matthew CREAM & Paul CETRANGOLO

Fourth Official: Jarred GILLETT

Adelaide United

2. MARRONE Michael, 8. ISAIAS (C), 11. ABSALONSEN Johan, 16. KONSTANDOPOLOUS Nathan, 17. MILEUSNIC Nikola, 19. GARUCCIO Benjamin, 20. IZZO Paul (gk), 22. GULUM Ersan, 23. ELSEY Jordan, 37. ADLUNG Daniel, 77. CAVUSEVIC Dzengis

Substitutes: 1. MARGUSH Daniel (gk), 5. REGAN Taylor, 7. KITTO Ryan, 14. BLACKWOOD George, 29. STRAIN Ryan

Melbourne City

1. BOUZANIS Dean (gk), 3. JAMIESON Scott, 5. SCHENKEVELD Bart, 8. BOZANIC Oliver, 10. VIDOSIC Dario, 13. MAUK Stefan, 14. ARZANI Daniel, 22. JAKOBSEN Michael, 23. FORNAROLI Bruno, 26. BRATTAN Luke, 37. ATKINSON Nathaniel

Substitutes: 2. MUSCAT Manny, 4. DELBRIDGE Harrison, 7. FITZGERALD Nick, 18. GALEKOVIC Eugene (gk), 27. BUDZINSKI Marcin