Newcastle Jets have produced a resolute performance in oppressive conditions to defeat Adelaide United 1-0 at Coopers Stadium.
The match kicked off at a sweltering 38C, with officials scheduling drinks breaks every 15 minutes.
The Jets found the net midway through the first half against the run of play and it proved enough to ensure the visitors collected all three points.
Newcastle coach Arthur Papas was delighted with the victory and his side's expertly crafted, if ultimately fortunate, goal.
"The goal is really well-worked, it starts from Jack Duncan in goals," he said.
"It's one of the better goals we've scored this season so I'm proud of the guys for being able to execute that."
The blistering conditions did not lessen the efforts of the home side, who were on top early.
On 10 minutes Craig Goodwin slipped in the overlapping Ryan Kitto, with the fullback racing to the by-line before crossing, only for Newcastle's Jordan Elsey to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Three minutes later, Ethan Alagich fed Hiroshi Ibusuki, who drove towards the touchline and fired a hard pass across the face of goal. Again Elsey was there to clear off the line.
Against the run of play, Newcastle broke the deadlock thanks to a heavily deflected shot from Jaushua Sotirio.
The winger played a one-two with Kosta Grozos and took a touch in the box before firing towards goal. His shot slammed into the body of Alex Popovic, completely wrong-footing Joe Gauci in the Reds goal.
United continued to carve out chances but lacked polish with the final pass.
The Reds did have a superb chance in first-half injury time when Kitto exchanged passes with Juande on the edge of the area before cutting inside and shaping to shoot.
Elsey slid in to block, with Kitto's ricocheted effort an easy collect for Duncan.
The second half began with the temperature still nudging 35C, and United continuing as they had before the break.
Goodwin whipped in a free kick from the left on the edge of the area which was met by Zach Clough but the midfielder's glancing header went just wide.
Just after the hour, Reno Piscopo collected the ball on halfway and drove towards goal, beating a couple of defenders before unleashing a low drive which Gauci did well to get down and parry past the post.
As the clock wound down, Goodwin worked himself into a shooting position on 83 minutes, cutting inside on his right foot but his effort was easy for Duncan.
The Socceroos winger had a free kick from the edge of the area right on the stroke of fulltime but lifted his shot over the bar and onto the roof of the net.
United coach Carl Veart was disappointed with his side's performance.
"We weren't good enough tonight," he said.
"We were too casual and too sloppy at times when we had the ball."
