Adelaide United defeated nemesis Sydney FC 1-0 to jump into second spot on the A-League ladder.

A scrappy last minute goal from Brazilian Fernando settled the tight contest.

It was his sixth goal of the season and it couldn't have come at a better time for United, ending a 269 minute goal drought for the club, and securing only its second win in eight games.

Meanwhile, Sydney FC's finals hopes are in the balance.

United looked like disappointing its 14,704 fans after failing to trouble Sydney `keeper Clint Bolton until the death.

Sydney looked sharper in the first half, carving out the chances with crisper passing but couldn't beat United `keeper Daniel Beltrame, who was a standout.

Sydney midfielder Ufuk Talay forced Beltrame into a diving save in the 19th minute from a 25 metre free kick, while striker Alex Brosque should have netted in the 27th minute when he was put through by captain Mark Rudan.

United lifted the tempo after halftime but again failed to find the killer punch until the dying seconds.

Sydney coach Terry Butcher said his club had to take the loss on the chin.

"It's a hard one for us to take," the former England international said.

"There's no good time to concede a goal but obviously it's hard to come back when the opposition score in the 89th minute.

"We weren't ruthless enough in the right places today."

Butcher will have to reshape his team for the vital final minor round match away to Queensland Roar next week after defenders Mark Milligan and Terry McFlynn received their fourth cautions of the season and will be suspended.

Adelaide United captain Ross Aloisi said his teams' will to win simply kept it going to the end.

"It was the team effort that we've been looking for," Aloisi said.

"You could see it in everyone's eyes in the dressing room before the game that they knew just what they had to do."

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