A-League: Gold Coast 3 Perth Glory 0

18 March 2012 18:05

Gold Coast United secured their first win since Boxing Day with an upset 3-0 thrashing of finals-bound Perth Glory on Sunday.

The embattled A-League club had gone 13 games without tasting victory but Olyroos defender Zac Anderson's sixth-minute header and a late double to James Brown ended that horror run.

Perth played more than half the match with 10 men after Dean Heffernan was controversially sent off in the 36th minute for leading with the elbow in an aerial challenge against youngster Daniel Bowles.

While the Glory had a handful of good chances to equalise, they were stopped by United custodian Jerrad Tyson, who was once again rock solid in the goalmouth.

In truth, Gold Coast were in control from the first whistle and wasted little time taking the lead.

Just a few minutes into the contest, Anderson escaped his marker at a free kick and nodded the opener into the top left corner past an outstretched Danny Vukovic.

He can thank Jake Barker-Daish for setting up the opportunity, with the young midfielder impressive throughout from dead ball situations.

They doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute when Brown, who has signed with Newcastle for next season, slotted home his fifth goal for the season after he was played in by Josh Brillante.

Brown, who was making his long-awaited comeback from an ankle injury, completed his brace deep in stoppage time, with a sweetly-struck free kick from just outside the penalty box.

United's chances of ditching the wooden spoon were also kept alive with the win, with ninth-placed Adelaide just three points ahead with one game to go and with a worse goal difference.

They will vacate the bottom if the Reds fail to defeat Melbourne Heart next week, and if they manage to beat title contenders Brisbane Roar at home.