Soccer: Perth trounce Brisbane

The quickest A-League goal this season and some woeful defensive blunders helped Perth Glory end their run of misery against the Brisbane Roar in a pulsating 4-2 win at Suncorp Stadium yesterday.

Led by Socceroos Chris Coyne, Mile Sterjovski and Jacob Burns, the Glory led an extraordinary contest from start to finish before recording only their second ever win over the Roar in 12 matches and their first since September 10, 2005.

In one of the more bizarre matches this season, three of the Glory goals were virtually handed to them through disastrous defensive mishaps from Brisbane.

It was a dream start for the visitors who had the lead after only 45 seconds through a Josh McCloughan own goal.

Under pressure from the looming frontman, the Roar defender misjudged a tricky cross from Sterjovski near the penalty spot, with his diving header spearing into the corner, giving keeper Liam Reddy no chance.

Another defensive blunder late in the half doubled the lead.

Bob Malcolm was the culprit this time. His slowness on the ball in the last line of defence was punished by Queensland-born midfielder Wayne Srhoj who stole the ball before neatly chipping the outcoming Reddy.

The Roar came to life in the second half and reduced the deficit in the 50th minute in brilliant fashion thanks to tricky midfielder Henrique.

The 24-year-old Brazilian did it solo, beating several players on a weaving run before finishing it off in the bottom right corner.

But the Roar's surge was snuffed within 10 minutes as Branko Jelic restored the visitors' two-goal cushion after a corner kick.

Brisbane's Sergio Van Dijk got it back to 3-2 in the 65th minute, firing home through a sea of legs, with the help of a deflection.

But yet another defensive bungle killed off the Roar in the 75th minute, keeper Reddy left red-faced with the worst error of the night. A nothing cross from Adriano Pellegrino floated to Reddy who, under no pressure, let the ball slip through his fingers and over the line.

The win moved the Glory ahead of the Roar into the top four, while Brisbane slipped to fifth.

The depleted Roar were missing Danny Tiatto, Michael Zullo, Matt McKay, Massimo Murdocca, Andrew Packer (injured), and Luke Devere, Mitch Nichols and Tommy Oar (national under-20 commitments).

- AAP