A-League: Adelaide 1 Mellbourne Heart 1

23 March 2012 18:09

Adelaide United and Melbourne Heart have shared the spoils in a dour 1-1 draw in the A-League on Friday.

A first-half Sergio van Dijk penalty looked enough to separate the teams until in-form Heart striker Eli Babalj intervened and made his dominance pay with a superb solo finish in the second half.

Adelaide took the lead on 37 minutes when van Dijk slotted home from the spot after defender Daniel Mullen had been wrestled down in the box by Heart vice-captain Simon Colosimo.

The Heart managed to equalise in the second half, as the two sides settled for a draw in the closing stages.

The visitors dominated possession early while Adelaide soaked up the pressure and counter attacked the visitors when they could.

The Heart had three decent chances before the home side took the lead thanks to van Dijk's first goal since January 25.

Down 1-0 at the break, the Heart almost equalised in the 62nd minute when Babalj, the best player on the pitch, shot just past the post.

But the impressive 20-year-old did not have to wait much longer to hit the back of the net.

After 68 minutes, Babalj received the ball 10 yards from home side's penalty area, darted his way past three defenders before wrong-footing Adelaide's goalkeeper Mark Birighitti with a crafty finish.

The result leaves Melbourne at risk of dropping into sixth if either Newcastle or Sydney manages to win in their pivotal clash for the last finals spot on Sunday.

The draw assures Adelaide of ninth spot and condemns Gold Coast United to the wooden spoon.