Soccer: Knights continue charge

One-time National Soccer League contenders Brisbane Strikers have fallen into a big hole.

Thumped 5-3 at home by middle-of-the-table Melbourne Knights, Brisbane have slumped to fourth place - 15 points behind leaders Perth Glory, who picked up their 12th win by beating the Football Kingz 1-0 with a scrappy second-half Brad Maloney goal.

Joel Porter scored his second hat-trick of the season as the Knights continued their charge.

Alex Moreira gave Adelaide a 27th minute lead against Parramatta, but a late goal from the visitors' Matthew Thompson led to the points being shared.

Marconi and Sydney United also got a point each at Marconi Stadium. The referee caused rumblings when he added six minutes of stoppage time, during which Marconi's Grant List snatched the equaliser for 2-2.

Newcastle United beat Wollongong 2-0 and in the Sydney derby, Olympic Sharks downed Northern Spirit 3-0. Second-half goals came from new signing Ante Milicic, Tom Pondeljak and Andrew Packer.

- Agencies