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United were hoping to reverse their poor form leading up to the finals, earning just two wins in their past 11 matches. There would be no redemption for the Reds however as Luke Brattan opened the scoring in the 27th minute, his shot from the edge of the box deflecting in off Cassio.
Ivan Franjic broke the Reds’ back in the throes of the first half as his stoppage-time strike was tucked home with ease after Nichols was allowed time and space to cross.
Brisbane’s Jack Hingert was stretchered off in the 66th minute with a rolled ankle, allowing the parochial home support the chance to jeer the 22-year-old as he was lifted off the pitch and potentially out of the rest of Brisbane’s push for a three-peat of A-League championships.
With 15 minutes to go Adelaide coach Michael Valkanis rolled the dice, replacing Nigel Boogaard with midfielder Jake Barker-Daish in a bid to find a twist in the tale. Marquee man Dario Vidosic gave hope to the 10,000-strong crowd in the 89th minute when he powered a half-volley past Theo, energising the home support out of their slumber.
In the end it wasn’t enough to overturn their poor form early in the match allowing the Roar to book a spot in the semi-finals against the Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday night.