St Kilda won a see-sawing match 18.5 (113) to 15.8 (98) to stretch its unbeaten run to four matches and keep the Crows winless.

Midfielder Nick Dal Santo was sensational for the visitors, along with Lenny Hayes, while Gehrig and goalsneak Brent Guerra (four goals) were the stars up forward, and key defenders Matt Maguire and Luke Penny were also superb.

Gehrig comprehensively outplayed two opponents, Nathan Bassett and Nigel Smart, to take his season tally to 21 goals, while Penny blanketed Crows' key forward Wayne Carey and Maguire regularly took marks on the last line of defence.

Veteran midfielder Robert Harvey was also important, mixing spells on the bench with bursts of important possessions.

The Crows started the match well, with skipper Mark Ricciuto working hard in the centre square and Andrew McLeod enjoying some freedom on the halfback line to gather plenty of early touches as Adelaide led by seven points at quarter time.

Livewire forward Graham Johncock kicked two early goals, while young Crows key defender Trent Hentschel did well to keep star St Kilda forward Nick Riewoldt quiet in the first quarter.

But the Saints worked their way on top in the second quarter, coming back from a 13-point deficit early in the term to kick five of the last six goals of the first half to lead by 11 points at the main break.

Heath Black moved onto McLeod and kept him quiet after quarter time, while Riewoldt and Gehrig worked their way into the match.

Adelaide regained the lead early in the third quarter, with two quick goals, and the lead changed several times early in the quarter.

But the visitors again gained the ascendancy late in the quarter, kicking four of the last five goals of the term to lead by 16 points at the last change.

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