Adelaide United captain Travis Dodd sent the Reds to the top of the A-League table after sealing a 1-0 home win over Perth Glory with a thumping first-half strike.

The goal at Hindmarsh Stadium was a fitting way to mark a night of milestones for Dodd, his first official outing as skipper and also his 100th appearance in a United shirt.

It also ensured a winning start to the season for Adelaide, with the Reds the only side to taste victory in round one after three draws to start the opening weekend.

Always a threat out wide or going forward, Dodd had help from Adelaide's quartet of debutants.

Highly-rated Brazilian striker Cristiano had a couple of rusty moments in the first half but improved the longer the game went and claimed the assist for Dodd's goal.

Midfielder Paul Reid also showed much of the creativity and passing range expected of him.

In defence, new full-backs Alemao and Scott Jamieson were impressive in their contrasting styles, Alemao looking a smooth replacement for the retired Richie Alagich and Jamieson showing plenty of the mongrel instilled during three years at muscular English club Bolton.

Justice prevailed at EnergyAustralia Stadium when a 90th-minute penalty from Newcastle striker Joel Griffiths earned a dramatic 1-1 draw with derby rivals Central Coast in the A-League season opener.

The Jets dominated possession and field position in the second half but it was the Mariners who took the lead in the 86th minute through a Matt Simon header, his first A-League goal.

In the dying stages a tired challenge from Brad Porter brought Tarek Elrich down in the box, and last season's golden boot winner Griffiths stepped up to slot home from the spot to leave the honours shared in the much-anticipated re-match of last season's fiery grand final.

It remained an incredible result for the Mariners, who were without a host of players through injury.

“There were a lot of pleasing aspects that we got out of the game,” Jets head coach Gary van Egmond said afterwards. “We probably felt like we lost two points.”

Those incredible street-fighters they call Sydney FC pulled off yet another great escape when they held highly fancied Melbourne Victory to a 0-0 draw in a hard-fought A-League clash.

Taking the field without seven squad members due to injuries and suspensions and with two players making their debut, Sydney drew on their considerable reserves of resolve and temperament to hold out for a draw at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Sydney were under intense pressure in the first half as Melbourne knocked the ball about with purpose and menace but a combination of poor finishing and the alertness of goalkeeper Clint Bolton kept the scoresheet blank.

Sydney played much better in the second half when ball-playing wizard Steve Corica, who wore the captain's armband in place of injured Tony Popovic, stepped up a gear and drove Sydney forward with his positive running and clever passing.

Sydney could have even scored a sensational winner when midfielder Shannon Cole, who was playing for State League side Sydney Olympic only last week, hit the post with a superbly struck free kick that beat goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos all ends up.

"It was a good battle for us," beaming Sydney coach John Kosmina said later.

"We struggled a bit in the first half in terms of balance but Bolton was exceptional. He did a great job for us. He saved us. But that's what keepers are for.

"In the second half we more than took the game to Melbourne and we could have got something out of it."

Queensland Roar were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their A-League season opener after twice being denied by Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss in the dying stages.

Queensland dominated the game at Westpac Stadium but will depart Wellington disappointed with the result knowing they could easily have added another three goals to their tally.

Moss was the late hero for the Phoenix, pulling off a couple of brilliant saves in the closing stages by first turning away striker Sergio van Dijk's 86th minute attempt and then blocking Michael Zullo's one-on-one strike in stoppage time.

Scottish import Charlie Miller had earlier given the Roar the lead with his goal in 46th minute, before Phoenix marksman Shane Smeltz equalised in the 53rd.

Queensland coach Frank Farina was disappointed with the way his team allowed the Phoenix to level so soon after his team had taken the lead.

"I think we were a better team, we created a few chances but we couldn't finish them off," Farina said.

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