Brazilian striker Reinaldo ended Adelaide United's three-game winning streak with a fierce second half volley as Queensland Roar claimed a precious 1-0 win at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Ladder leaders Adelaide failed to test Roar `keeper Liam Reddy in his 50th A-League match and paid the penalty in the 63rd minute as Reinaldo latched onto a headed pass from Robbie Kruse and rifled his second goal of the season into the roof of the net from 10 metres.

Queensland's fourth win of the season was won on merit as Adelaide's new `keeper Eugene Galekovic saved four other tough shots on target to keep the score down.

United's second loss of the season could see them drop to third after this weekend as the Roar moved to within one point of the pace-setters.

Queensland young guns Michael Zullo and Robbie Kruse had the best chances of a dour first half but former Melbourne Victory reserve `keeper Galekovic made two good saves to keep their shots out in the rain.

The 26-year-old custodian was handed a debut by coach Aurelio Vidmar after being signed to cover a long-term injury to Daniel Beltrame just days ago.

But it was the Roar that controlled proceedings with Matt Mckay back running the midfield with grunt while injured Danny Tiatto was hardly missed as Craig Moore, Josh McCloughan and Hyuk-Su Seo were rarely troubled in defence.

Reinaldo fired a warning shot in the 60th minute when he forced Galekovic into a flying save from close range.

But he made no mistake three minutes later when he accepted Kruse's delicate nod down and blasted the ball home as he did last January at the same venue to net the Roar another win.

McKay shot just over the crossbar from 20 metres in the 77th minute but Adelaide's Brazilian fullback Cassio almost forced an equaliser in the 78th minute when he powered in a 25-metre shot which bounced off Reddy's chest and cleared.

Galekovic then had to subdue shots on target from Simon Lynch in the 82nd and 93rd minutes.

United midfielder Jonas Salley picked up his fourth booking of the season in the first half and will be suspended for round 12.

Roar captain Craig Moore said the Roar had taken plenty out of the draw against Perth last week, which had helped them tonight in front of 10,705 spectators.

"The important thing for me was the lesson learnt from last week in a winning position against Perth and we let the game slip," he said.

"It felt like a loss in the end.

"But I thought that the boys did a really professional job in the last three or four minutes tonight and didn't give Adelaide a chance to get back in."

Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar said his side had had "a night off".

"We looked flat from the start. We had no run in our legs and were probably suffering from a little mental fatigue," he said.

"But we'll learn from this. I'm not too concerned.

"We lacked spark all over the park. The five-day turnaround (since the last game) was probably some factor too."

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