Soccer: Whistlers steal the A-League limelight with cards

The yellow cards keep flashing as referees continue to take centre stage in A-League matches. In 13th round action 21 cards were shown with Adelaide the chief contributor.

They copped seven of the nine cards Matthew Breeze dished out in the match of the round against Sydney FC.

Adelaide United copped four cards in the last 12 minutes as they chased the game which had been level 1-1 after 15 minutes.

Sydney captain Mark Rudan completed the scoring after 22 minutes to earn his side their fifth win of the season and guaranteed third spot for at least another week.

With runaway leaders Melbourne Victory beating Queensland Roar 2-0 away, Adelaide have dropped further off the pace in second place, now 12 points behind Victory who should wrap up the minor premiership with a stack of games in hand.

Melbourne's win at Suncorp came despite Queensland having 20 attempts on goals compared with the Victory's 10.

Central Coast striker Damian Mori joined Melbourne's Kevin Muscat in third place in the race for the golden boot with six goals when he opened the scoring in their 2-0 win over the New Zealand Knights at North Harbour Stadium.

Perth Glory made the most of home advantage scoring first and last to edge Newcastle Jets 2-1.

Jamie Harnwell scored after 38 minutes but the visitors drew level with 13 minutes to play when Nick Carle converted from the penalty spot.

Substitute Luka Glavas scored three minutes into added time to give Perth the win that has got them back in play-off contention.

For the Knights such thoughts are but a dream.

Stand-in head coach Barry Simmonds didn't mince his words after their 10th loss of the season and 10th match in which they have remained scoreless.

"Anyone with a modicum of football knowledge would tell you they tried everything they could do within the confines of who they are and what they are."