Gold Coast 1-0 win add to Roar's misery

Former high-flyers Gold Coast United snapped a four-game drought to surge back to
second in the A-League by rubbing salt into Brisbane Roar's wounds at Suncorp
Stadium.
The Coast maintained bragging rights over their arch-rivals with a 1-0 triumph for a
second M1 derby win thanks to a 31st-minute Joel Porter goal and some fine
scrambling in defence.
With coach Frank Farina suspended indefinitely due to a drink-driving charge and
seven first-team regulars injured or suspended, the depleted Roar put up a brave
effort but lacked the polish to convert a host of chances.
Porter stepped up for the Coast in the absence of skipper Jason Culina and star
striker Shane Smeltz, both on international duty, to clinch the victory by pouncing
on a Brisbane defensive error.
Veteran Scottish defender Bob Malcolm inadvertently headed a Tahj Minniecon free
kick in the path of Porter who blasted home for his second goal of the season.
The three-point result has moved Miron Bleiberg's team from fourth to second on 17
points, two behind pacesetters Sydney FC and ahead of Perth Glory (17) on goal
difference.
The battling Roar, a point behind the leaders a fortnight ago, remain equal sixth
with Adelaide United (12) after their second straight defeat.
It was always going to be a tough day at the office for Brisbane without skipper
Craig Moore and several other senior players, plus the club's 11th-hour call to hand
the coaching reins to Rado Vidosic after suspending Farina.
But the home side started promisingly and had three near-misses in a hectic two
minutes after a quarter-hour where Malcolm, Tommy Oar and Reinaldo all had the
meagre 8,882-strong crowd on their feet.
Nippy youngster Oar, in his first game back from the Young Socceroos' poor U20 World
Cup campaign, was a constant thorn in the Coast's side.
Although United went to the break with a one-goal advantage, it was the Roar who
created most of the chances and finished the half with their tails up.
Sergio van Dijk was denied a goal just before half-time when referee Ben Williams
justifiably penalised Mitch Nicholls for a foul on Coast goalkeeper Jess
Vanstrattan, who spilt a high take.
The Roar, under fire for their lack of discipline on and off the field, finished
with four bookings taking their yellow card count up to 36 for the season, far more
than the next worst offenders.