When you're down, nothing goes your way: Adelaide United sneaking out 2-1 winners over Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Both sides started with promising intent, Newcastle particularly threatening off fast breaks, but Adelaide took the lead in fortuitous circumstances.

Ben Halloran broke through the Jets' lines and executed a brilliant lob over a sprawling Glen Moss, which rebounded off the post to a well-placed Nikola Mileusnic; the tap in is his third goal in two matches. 

Nigel Boogard slid into Glen Moss soon after, which saw the Kiwi goalkeeper withdrawn for Lewis Italiano, but as a sign of how anxious Newcastle's fortunes are becoming, Ernie Merrick decided to swap Steven Ugarkovic for a more-mobile Mathew Ridenton as well.

With the reigning runners-up seventh, it's little surprise to see a more proactive approach from the Scottish gaffer. Dimitri Petratos' frustration has become a trademark this season, while the likes of Jason Hoffman and Jair have been similarly underwhelming.

The game became predictably end-to-end, with Italiano keeping the Novocastrians in the match before Roy O'Donovan had an equaliser ruled offside.

The Irishman wouldn't make the same mistake twice though, Kaine Sheppard finding O'Donovan with a peach of a cross, the striker burying a header from close range for his first goal of the season.

It was set for late drama but against the run of play, Adelaide snatched the winner. The most indisciplined defender in A-League history (at least in red cards) Nigel Boogard scything down Ryan Kitto, Craig Goodwin cooly dispatching the resulting penalty. 

"The result kills you. I thought we played well and controlled the game, I don't think we deserved to lose that but that's football," O'Donovan said.

"As soon as we scored I didn't think we'd lose. It's frustrating for him and for us, but I can't criticise Boogard because he's been sensational for us all season."

The win moves Adelaide equal fourth with Wellington on every determiner, with the same goal difference, goals scored and conceded.

"It was very difficult," Goodwin said. "In terms of the team performance I think it was good in patches, when they scored we lost our shape, but credit to us to come back.

"For myself, I'm not happy with my performance, but I have been practicing penalties all season so my only thought was to put it in the back of the net and do away with the bad performance.

"It's obviously disappointing (to miss the Asian Cup) but the last few weeks I haven't been able to contribute with goals and assists.

"I've just got to keep going and put tonight in the back of my mind."