Adelaide United and Sydney FC played out a tense 1-1 A-League Mens draw in front of packed Coopers Stadium on Friday.
A near-sell-out crowd turned up to see the Reds take the lead almost immediately after half time before the visitors managed an equaliser in the final 10 minutes.
The result cut the second-placed Reds' lead over third-placed Central Coast Mariners cut to four points after they defeated Western United 3-0 earlier in the day.
United had a great chance as early as the third minute when Craig Goodwin's near post corner was met by Ben Warland, whose powerful glancing header forced an impressive reflex save from Andrew Redmayne.
On 16 minutes United had another glorious opportunity when Zach Clough squared a ball across the face of goal which Goodwin drove low and hard past Redmayne but it was saved off the line by Jack Rodwell.
Sydney worked their way back into the contest after a dominant opening from Adelaide and could have broken the deadlock in the 25th minute.
Anthony Cacares released Joe Lolley, who tore down the left wing and danced his way through the Reds' defence before shooting wide from right in front of goal, just 10 metres out.
It was United who eventually opened the scoring and it came three minutes into the second half. Jay Barnett released Clough who threaded a pass through Sydney's defence for Javi Lopez.
The Spaniard's cut back deflected into the path of Goodwin, who fired first time towards the far post which Rodwell was guarding. The shot had too much power and cannoned off the defender's legs and into the net.
On 73 minutes, Max Burgess slipped in Lolley who was one-on-one with Gauci and it was the Reds' keeper who won the battle, diving low and keeping Lolley's effort out with a strong arm.
Burgess was involved again a short time later when Sydney equalised, providing the telling pass.
The Sky Blues playmaker split Adelaide's defence to find substitute Adam Le Fondre who raced onto the pass. The Englishman shot first time and his effort was deflected past Gauci.
