BILLED AS… The tightest defence against the best attack, with the battle of the Vidmars as the sideshow.

IN REALITY… A top drawer classic between two A-Grade A-League sides destined for the finals. This was red-hot, skillful, exhilarating, and, occasionally – thanks to Nathan Burns – breathtaking. Not a bad player on the pitch.

THE GOOD… Burns and Bruce Djite. Meet the Socceroos' forward line for the next decade. Last season they were promising, this season, they're on a different level both individually and as front two. Also, the Mariners' set plays – twice they bamboozled the Reds' defence with cleverly worked moves.

THE BAD… Nothing. 90 minutes of pure A-League joy. Unless of course you're a Mariner.

THE UGLY… Matthew Breeze. His inexplicable decision to pull back play – after Djite had scored following a foul on Burns – was mystifying to put it politely. If it'd stayed 1-1, the police prosecutor would've needed his gendarme mates to get out of Hindmarsh in one piece. Lucky for him, Djite popped up to score the winner.

THEY SAID WHAT… Bruce Djite "I thought it was a goal and it being disallowed was disappointing. As for the goal that was given, I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time." John Hutchinson: "Credit to our boys we pushed forward. The boys are more confident this year and better in their mindset. We're still the top of the ladder but we need to back this up next week."

THE FALLOUT… Adelaide move up to third bottom but just outside the four by a point. The Mariners must regroup for the blistering F3 derby next weekend.

Adelaide
Daniel Beltrame, Richie Alagich, Angelo Costanzo, Cassio, Kristian Sarkies (Lucas Pantelis 82’), 10.Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite, Travis Dodd (cp), Jonas Salley, Robert Cornthwaite, Diego.

Bookings Nil

Goalscorers Bruce Djite 19’/88'

Mariners
Danny Vukovic, John Hutchinson, Dean Heffernan, Damien Brown (Andre Gumprecht 71’), Tony Vidmar, Andrew Clark, Nigel Boogaard.Adam Kwasnik, Sasho Petrovski (Tom Pondeljak 82’), Mile Jedinak, Damian Mori

Bookings Tony Vidmar 65’/79’, Mile Jedinak 68’, Nigel Boogaard 73’

Goalscorers Sasho Petrovski 37'

MATCHRATING: 5/5