Perth Glory gained some pride before an improved crowd at MES tonight, running out 3-2 winners over Adelaide in a keen contest.
Perth Glory coach David Mitchell made one late change to his line-up, with Jamie Coyne captaining the Glory with Simon Colosimo not taking part in the final home game, whilst Aurelio Vidmar welcomed back Nathan Burns to partner Bruce Djite up front.
There was action early with Nikita Rukavytsya getting in an angled shot drew a point blank save from Eugene Galekovic in the Adelaide goal, and then one minute later at the other end Bruce Djite grabbing his 5th goal of the season. Nathan Burns had a shot blocked and it and Djite swooped to knock it past Glory's 'keeper Jason Petkovic. 0-1
We didn't have to wait long, three minutes in fact, when Perth's skipper Jamie Coyne made a run down the right and crossed for James Robinson to scoop into the net. 1-1
Stan Lazaridis was creating some havoc down the left with runs and crosses for Glory but in the 33rd minute he completed the run with an angled shot that Galekovic could only parry.
With Glory dominant it was not surprising that in late first half stoppage time Rukavytsya received the ball and outsped Angelo Costanzo, drawing Galekovic and angling his shot past the exposed 'keeper.
Adelaide gained some early second half joy when Travis Dodd, lacking options after his jinking run dwon the right, curled the ball into the top right corner of the Glory goal giving Petkovic no chance. 2-2
As is often the case it was not long before Glory replied, as Lazaridis again made lots of space down the left, crossing to a lurking Jamie Harnwell and the reliable Glory man swept the ball home with his left foot for his seventh of the season.
"Today was important day for the club, fans have been coming here week in and week out and it was important that we got the win," Mitchell said following the match.
"There was a lot of commitment and desire from the players and I think that was evident on the park. We were able to keep our composure when it counted the most and got the result we deserved.
"We're off the bottom of the league which is a big relief for us and whether it stays that way is in our hands now. We'll go to Newcastle knowing that a win is a must and there will be plenty of motivation there for the team to finish the season in the best possible way," added Mitchell.
The Glory's fourth win of the season, and a rare one at home, takes them off the bottom of the league points table and above the Wellington Phoenix - but it was the exciting way the team finished the season at home that will please disgruntled Perth fans.
Both teams still may have a say in the Premiers Plate as Glory's season finishes on next Friday night taking on the finals-bound Newcastle Jets away at Newcastle International Sports Centre, and Adelaide finishes its season at home against another finalist when it tackles Queensland Roar on Sunday.