Charlie Miller's angled ball was headed back across goal by Craig Moore for van Dijk to nod deftly into the far corner of Bolton's net with just four minutes left on the clock.

The home fans almost had another goal to celebrate a minute later as Henrique escaped down the right and cut back to Reinaldo, but his powerful shot was well saved.

Brisbane coach Frank Farina was glowing in his praise following the result, with his team overcoming a number of key absences, including Luke De Vere and Mitch Nichols,  to extend their unbeaten record against Sydney to eight matches.

"We're one point off top spot. So with all the problems that we've had, is it satisfying? Bloody oath," said Farina.

"I think it showed the character of the players that are left standing.

"It was a bit of an arm wrestle again in the first half. We changed a couple of things in the second half and I thought we were a lot better."