Soccer: Perth lead hits seven

Perth Glory bounced back from their pre-Christmas glitch with a 4-2 home win over Brisbane Strikers to re-establish their seven-point lead in the Australian national soccer league.

With second-placed Newcastle having a bye, Perth regained their stranglehold on the title race with goals from Bobby Despotovski (twice), Jamie Harnwell and Damien Mori.

The Football Kingz 2-1 win over Olympic Sharks sent South Melbourne, beaten 1-0 away by Marconi, to the bottom of the table.

John Maisano's first-half strike gave Marconi the points to take his side into fifth place.

Wollongong Wolves moved closer to the top six with a 2-1 home win over Northern Spirit.

Sydney United, reduced to nine players, held on for a 1-1 draw at home to Adelaide City Force. Adelaide captain Carl Veart set up Alex Moreira for his fifth goal of the season and a 1-0 halftime lead.

United had opportunities to equalise but it was left to a brilliant Ante Milicic strike from outside the penalty area to level the score.

Home ground advantage was not enough for Melbourne Knights, who went down to Parramatta Power 1-0.

The Kingz are back at Ericsson Stadium on Friday night to play Brisbane.