Adelaide United have followed back-to-back away losses with a solid 2-0 A-League Men victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at Coopers Stadium.
After a hard-fought, dour first half with few chances for either side, the Reds scored twice in five minutes in the second half to claim victory on Friday night.
Adelaide United coach Airton Andrioli was pleased the Reds were able to return to the winners' list.
"Winning the game tonight will give us confidence and belief that what we are doing can pay dividends," he said.
The Wanderers had the first chance on the quarter-hour when Reds defender Panagiotis Kikianis was robbed of possession following a crunching tackle from Alou Kuol.
Kosta Barbarouses collected the loose ball and drove forward before laying it off for Bozhidar Kraev, whose first-time shot was saved by the legs of United keeper Joshua Smits.
Ten minutes later Adelaide created a great chance when Juan Muniz was released in behind the visitors' defence. The Spaniard slipped through Luka Jovanovic, who attempted to chip the onrushing Lawrence Thomas.
The Wanderers' keeper managed to get a glove to the ball to keep it out, and Yaya Dukuly shot agonisingly wide with the follow-up.
Just before halftime Barbarouses again charged forward on a counter-attack and lifted a cross into the area for Kraev, whose header went wide.
After the restart, Western Sydney were first to try their luck. Kuol received the ball after a nice passage of play and shot on the turn from the edge of the area, but struck the outside of the post.
It was the home side who broke the deadlock on 63 minutes, courtesy of an impressive finish from Jovanovic.
The move started with Dukuly slipping the ball through the legs of Aidan Simmons on halfway before tearing goalwards.
He dished off to Craig Goodwin, who in turn switched to Dylan Pierias out wide on the right.
Pierias lofted a cross to the penalty spot, where Jovanovic brought it down and lashed a half-volley on the turn, burying it past Thomas.
Four minutes later the Reds doubled their lead, with Jovanovic turning provider.
Adelaide cleared out of defence through Pierias, who broke forward and released Dukuly. The winger played in Jovanovic, who drove into the penalty area before sliding the ball across the six-yard box for Goodwin to tap in with the easiest of finishes.
Wanderers coach Alen Stajcic felt Western Sydney deserved more from the match.
"I thought we were the better team,'' he said.
"We definitely had enough opportunities with and without the ball to be the better team tonight to win the game.''
