The league leaders maintained their unbeaten run but produced aurguably their worst half of the season and were fortunate Adelaide lacked the finishing touch.

The result leaves the Reds adrift at the bottom of the table on three points while Sydney extend their buffer at the top to seven points.

Coach Guillermo Amor,  serving a touchline ban, watched from the stands as Adelaide kept their first clean sheet of the campaign and welcomed back injured attacker Henrique.

It was an improved performance from the defending A-League champions who held Sydney FC to their second straight draw and restricted them to just a single shot on target.

The performance could be a worry for Sky Blues boss Graham Arnold, with the FFA Cup Final just four days away.

The most impressive first-half moments for the usually free-scoring hosts were three thundering defensive headers by Matt Jurman after his forehead was split open and heavily bandaged from a head clash with James Holland.

Tarek Elrich had a couple of good sights on goal in the first 45' for the Reds, while Sydney's striker Filip Holosko took and missed the tough option when an open net was beckoning.

Adelaide carved out a host of chances in the second half with the best fallling to Marcelo Carrusca and Holland. Alex Wilkinson's header went wide for the home team.

GOALS

It took over seven rounds but for the first time this season the A-League has witnessed a scoreless draw.

While Graham Arnold was clearly frustrated with his misfiring Sky Blues, Adelaide will rightfully rue their own failure to make the most of two good second-half chances.

INJURY WARD

Matt Jurman saw more red than just James Holland’s kit after a painful head clash with the Adelaide midfielder. After being fitted with a head bandage, the big defender’s next two actions were strong headers.