Bresciano capitalised on a mistake from Bahrain captain Mohamed Husain in stoppage time to make the hosts pay for missing a host of earlier chances.

Australia now top the group with maximum points from three games, while Bahrain have just one.

Bahrain started brightly and Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer had to be alert early on, first to push away Abdulla Baba Fatadi's cross-shot and then to block Jaycee John's effort after he had skinned full-back David Carney.

Mahmood Abdulrahman also came close before Australia carved out their first real opening, Josh Kennedy miscuing his header from Luke Wilkshire's cross.

Harry Kewell then threatened with a header as Australia started to claw their way back into the game, but Bahrain continued to look the more likely side to break the deadlock after the break.

Faouzi Mubarak Aaish picked out John with a corner, but he could only send his header wide.

And John produced an even more embarrassing miss in the 68th minute when he somehow failed to connect with Salman Isa's low cross when a goal seemed certain.

Shortly before that Carney had fired into the side netting from a narrow angle when a cross had looked the better option.

With less than two minutes remaining substitute Abdulla Al Dakeel almost gave Bahrain the points with a effort which went flew wide.

Instead, with the three minutes of added time almost up, Husain, under pressure from Kennedy, failed to cut out a hopeful long pass into the area.

Bresciano ran on to the ball, steadied himself and held off a last-gasp attempted tackle before shooting home.