Soccer: Wolves howl down United

Last season's NSL top dogs, Wollongong Wolves and South Melbourne, finally found winning form in seventh-round action.

First-half goals from Patrick Kisnorbo, who headed home a Steve Panopoulus corner in the 22nd minute, and Joe Bacak, who pounced on a weak back-pass in the 40th minute, earned Souths their 2-0 home win over Parramatta Power.

The Wolves, also at home, beat Sydney United 1-0 after David Huxley scored in the 65th minute.

Brisbane Strikers lost 2-1 to Newcastle United in the battle of two of the three unbeaten teams.

At home, Brisbane's Paul Foster netted his fifth of the season in the 14th minute. But Newcastle's Joel Griffiths equalised in the 35th minute with his fourth of the season, and Esala Masi grabbed the winner four minutes into the second spell.

The Melbourne Knights warmed up for Friday's clash with the Football Kingz with a 2-0 away loss to unbeaten leaders Perth Glory.

Glory's strikeforce of Damian Mori (61 minutes) and Bobby Despotovski (injury time) ensured Perth's sixth win of the season.

The Knights are two points and two places ahead of the Kingz.

The Olympic Sharks overcame gale-force winds and heavy rain to beat Adelaide City Force 1-0.

Northern Spirit, who play in Auckland next week, downed Marconi 2-0 away.