Soccer: Allsopp double cements Victory playoff spot

Daniel Allsopp of the Victory is embraced by his teammates following his goal. Photo / Getty Images

Two superb Danny Allsopp goals have all but assured Melbourne Victory an A-League finals berth after a 2-0 win over fourth-placed Gold Coast at AAMI Park on Sunday.

Allsopp struck in each half of a match played in searing temperatures with excellent goals to give fifth-placed Victory a seven-point buffer over seventh-placed Melbourne Heart with two games remaining.

While both the Heart and eighth-placed Newcastle Jets could still force their way into the top six, it is unlikely to be at the Victory's expense.

The Jets were beaten 1-0 in New Zealand earlier on Sunday by Wellington Phoenix, who now sit sixth.

The Victory are also some chance of overtaking fourth-placed Gold Coast and securing a home final, though the Queensland side have two matches in hand.

With temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s, Allsopp lit up the match on 28 minutes with a 20-metre run and powerful low shot to put his side a goal up.

Then he produced an even better effort in the 56th minute, latching on to a lofted ball from Diogo Ferreira.

With his back to goal, he turned Gold Coast defender John Curtis, then curved a left-footed shot past United keeper Glen Moss to put the issue beyond doubt.

Allsopp, who re-signed with the Victory just before Christmas after a stint overseas, now has five goals in his past four games.

Gold Coast's best chance came in the final minute of normal time, when striker Joel Porter's shot from point-blank range was brilliantly saved by Victory keeper Michael Petkovic.

- AAP