Adelaide United skipped seven points clear of the A-League pack after coming from behind to beat Queensland Roar 4-2 at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Former Chinese international striker Shengqing Qu was the catalyst for United's fifth straight win in front of 8426 fans after fringe Socceroo striker Alex Brosque had given the Roar a deserved lead in the 11th minute.

Qu netted once and set up two other Adelaide goals on his return from suspension to help the Reds take a stranglehold on top spot with five rounds to play.

Evergreen midfielder Carl Veart netted a penalty won by Qu in the 28th minute to start Adelaide's fightback while Brazilian striker Fernando Rech was clinical up front with two close-range goals.

Qu showed his class with a deft chip over Roar keeper Tom Willis in the 30th minute from just outside the penalty area to give United it's first lead.

He then supplied a precise pass across the goal mouth in the 40th minute to set up fellow striker Rech for his fifth goal of the season to make it 3-1 at the break.

Queensland's Brazilian striker Reinaldo proved a threatening aerial target on debut for the Roar which started in sparkling fashion.

He nodded a long clearance from Willis into the path of Brosque to race through and slot home low past United keeper Robert Bajic, who had a shaky start to the game.

But Adelaide's fighting spirit surfaced again and Qu won a vital penalty when he ran onto a clever ball from Lucas Pantelis only to be fouled by the advancing Willis, who was cautioned.

Veart's spot kick was parried brilliantly by Willis but the former Socceroo coolly slotted the rebound home with his left foot.

Roar coach Miron Bleiberg's poured on attackers in the second half to try and salvage a point but United proved too strong with Rech netting his second in the 63rd minute.

Second half Roar substitute Michael Baird snatched a consolation goal in the 83rd minute with a low drive from 20 metres on the rain-soaked pitch.

Obviously disappointed with the result, Roar striker Alex Brosque said the visitors had been frustrated by several decisions by referee Matthew Breeze, who he described as "Adelaide's best player today."

"It's disappointing to see the referee not give a penalty (to us) at one end and then give one that wasn't at the other (for Adelaide)," Brosque said.

"It's just hard to play when things like that go against you."

Brosque said the Roar had played with passion but little luck.

"That's not to take anything away from Adelaide who took some chances and that's why they're top of the league," Brosque said.

Adelaide coach John Kosmina praised his players for overcoming a shaky start but conceded they had to guard against complacency in coming games.

"We responded quite well to going behind and when we played, we played quite well," he said.

"But we cannot be complacent, even though some people say you're seven points clear and in a great position.

"It's a handy break but we need to forget about it. We play Melbourne here Thursday and we can't expect an easy game.

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