The Northern Irishman took charge of Victory for the first time in Friday's draw and while the result was familiar one for the club's fans, Magilton said it was an encouraging start for him.

“We created enough chances, we gave them a platform to perform. Rome wasn't built in a day, they've had four or five days with me,” Magilton said.

“We've had a strong performance first half. Second half we can do better, but overall really pleased with their application and attitude. Pleased we got something out of the game.”

The former Ipswich and QPR boss added he never expected to instantly turn their fortunes around.

“I'm dealing with good players and good players can adapt. It's not going to happen overnight,” he said.

“It would've been lovely to come in here and we'd won the game 4-0 and everyone's eulogising about the team and me as a manager, but it doesn't happen.

“We start again, training tempo will be upbeat. The players will be disappointed, but that's good, it's a good sign.”

Victory star performer Harry Kewell told reporters he believed there was a different feel about the playing squad since Magilton's arrival.

“There's something in the team. There's this hunger. I can smell there's something in this team that we want to do something great.,” Kewell said.

“I know in this league people are afraid to play against us. It is a confidence thing, we were lacking confidence and confidence doesn't come straight away, you've got to build it.”

On the performance, Kewell added: “We had chances to finish it straight away. In football, both teams are going to have chances in game but we didn't capitalise on ours.

“It is disappointing, but there's something in this team now, there's a fight. We've come off this game drawing, but we're ready to go, there's hunger.”

Meanwhile, Adelaide coach John Kosmina said: “We showed a bit of character. A lot of character because we've got a lot of young players in the team and they were probably a little bit intimidated. Not in a big way, but enough to make them second guess. Melbourne are a big club, a big team and they've got some experienced, big name players in their team.

“In the first half I thought it was a bit of a sparring match, we probably survived a bit, but we were the masters of our own undoing because we weren't doing little things and we got too concerned with how we went forward than our jobs defensively.

“Second half I think we were outstanding. It became where Melbourne threatened us was individual brilliance rather than a team effort, because we just stopped them playing. As a unit I thought we were fantastic in the second half and probably unlucky not to get away with it (the three points).”