Melbourne Victory's hopes of an unlikely push for an A-League Men's finals berth have been dealt a heavy blow after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Perth Glory at AAMI Park.
Their tumultuous season kept alive by the ALM's bottom-half's inconsistency, Victory entered Sunday with the chance to leap from last to seventh on the table, only to crash repeatedly against an intransigent Glory defence.
Forced to settle for a draw, Victory's gap to sixth-placed Sydney FC stands at four points with just three games remaining in the season.
The point for their defensive efforts, however, means Glory is just a point behind Sydney ahead of their trip to face the Sky Blues next Sunday.
Combining with Nishan Velupillay, Victory's Kadate slid a pass across goal in the 15th minute that Jack Clisby was able to turn away before it could be bundled home.
A long ball forward from Rai Marchan sprung Fernando Romero in behind Glory's lines four minutes later but his resulting half-volley crashed off the post.
Looking to sit back and absorb wave after wave of Victory attacks, Glory frustrated the hosts' attacking efforts but their approach also played into them not producing a shot in the first half.
Their fans increasingly vocalising their frustration, Victory kept probing with increasing desperation as the second half progressed without success.
They weren't helped in these efforts by a worn playing surface that had played host to ALM and NRL matches mid-week and a Super Rugby doubleheader on Saturday.
In a late twist, Glory almost stole the game in the 90th minute when Luke Bodnar fired off a bullet after a Jacob Dowse corner, with Paul Izzo forced into a desperate save.
Tension bubbling over, a shoving match after another unsuccessful Victory thrust in the 98th minute ended with Mark Beevers picking up a second yellow and his marching orders.
