The race for second spot in Australia's A-League tightened on Sunday following Adelaide United's 1-0 over Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.

The Reds closed to within two points of defending champions Central Coast Mariners, who were in second place behind leaders Brisbane Roar, with a penalty from Argentine Marcelo Carrusca in the 58th minute.

It was Adelaide's first win in the New Zealand capital since 2007 and kept alive their hopes of finishing the season in second place and with it missing the opening week of next month's top-six playoffs.

Central Coast moved into second spot with two games left to the play-offs with a 2-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at home on Saturday.

Substitute Bernie Ibini ensured victory with his dramatic 90th-minute winner after the Mariners midfielder Joshua Rose broke the stalemate and Nikolai Topor-Stanley levelled just before the break.

Wanderers surrendered second spot following the defeat.

World Cup hopeful James Troisi netted the equaliser as Melbourne Victory drew 1-1 with Sydney FC to hold down fifth place.

Striker Joel Chianese had opened the scoring for the Sky Blues in the 48th minute.

Albanian striker Besart Berisha again saw red, but a 10-man Brisbane Roar dug deep to claim a remarkable 2-1 win over Melbourne Heart on Friday.

Berisha received a record third red card for the season in the 49th minute with the scores locked at 1-1.

However, Brazilian Henrique knocked in a Matt McKay cross in the 73rd minute to deliver Roar all three points and and a massive 12-point lead over their nearest rivals on the standings.

Brisbane's win ended Heart's mathematical chance of making the A-League play-offs.