With both sides out of the finals race, pride was at stake with Glory desperately looking to avoid the wooden spoon.

An early goal from Bruce Djite was cancelled out minutes later by James Robinson and Nikita Rukavytsya gave Perth the lead during first half stoppage time.

After the break Travis Dodd scored from long range to equalise but Perth again took the lead through Jamie Harnwell two minutes later to end the scoring and give Glory all three points.

“I think we thoroughly deserved the win,” said Harnwell. “The first ten-fifteen minutes Adelaide took us back but we fought our way back into it and we thoroughly deserved the three points.”

“It just shows the character we’re starting to build now in this side. We wanted to reward the fans that keep coming out and supporting us and we’ve done that.”

The game didn’t take long to come alive as in the 7th minute Nikita Rukavytsya was played into the box from a ball over the top by Nikolai Topor-Stanley only to shoot straight at Eugene Galekovic from a half volley.

One minute later Adelaide responded and took the lead. Surrounded by three Perth defenders Nathan Burns’ crafty work and blocked shot fell to Bruce Djite who scored low into the corner of the net.

Glory were back on level terms two minutes later when good interplay on the right wing allowed Billy Celeski to drive in a low cross for James Robinson, front and centre to tap in.

Both sides then traded chances without really testing the keepers but it was Perth who took the initiative playing positively down either wing as United soaked up the pressure.

Hayden Foxe drove in a long range effort down the throat of Galekovic and Stan Lazaridis had a shot palmed away for a corner after being released on the left by Jamie Harnwell.

Rukavytsya had been causing problems for Adelaide all half and after sending a chance over the bar he single-handedly put Glory in the lead during first half stoppage time.

Using his lightning quick pace the Olyroo managed to get around Angelo Costanzo before bearing down on goal to slot calmly past the helpless Reds keeper.

The second half started much like the first and at 2-1 Perth continued to press the Reds back culminating in a trademark Lazaridis cross to Harnwell who headed into the turf almost looping over Galekovic who managed to tip over.

But against the run of play Adelaide stole an equaliser through Travis Dodd when Cassio pushed into midfield spreading the play to the winger on the right.

Dodd was given time and space to assess his options and with one look up, smashed his shot from the corner of the box high into the top corner.

However as in the first half Perth struck back almost immediately after Lazaridis smuggled the ball away from Richie Alagich then running on goal to square for Harnwell and a 3-2 lead.

Glory were unlucky not to score a fourth and fifth as first Harnwell advanced between two red shirts to play himself in on goal only to scuff his shot.

Alagich running back to cover hashed his clearance handing the ball straight back to Harnwell who had his second shot blocked as numbers got back to clear.

Rukavytsya followed Harnwell’s example taking on the Reds defence once again but Robert Cornthwaite managed to recover and block the shot for a corner.

Adelaide had a few half chances and a free kick on the edge of the area clipping the wall but Perth remained defiant to hold out for only their second win and first at home against United since the A-League’s inception.

Perth now move into seventh on goal difference from Wellington while Adelaide remain sixth, three points behind arch rival Melbourne.