Big Wednesday moved from Wellington to Melbourne as the Heart hosted Adelaide United with a chance to go temporarily level with the Mariners but they were stunned as Adelaide United won 3-1.
Melbourne Heart got off to a great start with their 3-4-3 formation rushing through the Adelaide defense and putting plenty of pressure on Eugene Galekovic in the Adelaide goal.
Mate Dugandzic looked to win a penalty in the 5th minute after a sliding challenge but referee Kris Griffiths-Jones was having none of it, judging that the ball was won fairly, replays suggested, however, that the challenge may have gotten a piece of the player.
In the 13th minute Melbourne Heart could well have had a free-kick outside the box as Nigel Boogaard looked to handle the ball at the edge of the area, but again the Heart didn't get the call.
Adelaide United had their first meaningful possession in the 16th minute but Melbourne Heart proved that they were just as useful at the back as well defending solidly to keep Adelaide from getting a shot away.
The Reds nearly stunned the hosts in the 18th minute as Cameron Watson sent a good ball in to the box and Fabian Barbiero saw his run untracked by the Heart only to put his free header wide of the post.
The match was more even after Adelaide's chances but still the Heart looked more likely to make things happen, putting the Adelaide defense under regular pressure but still couldn't break through.
Adelaide came more and more into the match as the half went on, which cut out the chances in this encounter, as both teams struggled to put that final ball in.
Adelaide United were handed their chance from the spot as Bruce Djite ran in to the box behind the defense forcing Simon Colosimo to challenge and collecting Djite with his trailing leg, allowing Sergio van Dijk to end his barren spell as he scored from the spot with a well taken penalty.
It got worse for the Heart in that play as Colosimo injured himself in the challenge forcing Curtis Good to come in early and allowing Adelaide opportunities while Good settled.
Aziz Behich could well have put Heart level at the death of the half as he wriggled past his defender and in to the box but he could only hit it with his weaker foot making it an easy save for Galekovic.
Adelaide came out firing in the second half and it only took three minutes for the visitors to double the advantage as Dario Vidosic scored taking full advantage of a horrible backpass.
The goal took the wind out of Melbourne Heart as Adelaide really took full advantage of their momentum really threatening the Heart goal.
Melbourne Heart came back in to the match after the hour mark and in the 70th minute should have taken advantage of a scramble in the box but they shot the ball well over the bar as they really started to take control again.
Van Dijk got his brace in the 79th minute really wrapping things up making space on the edge of the area and put a good strike in to the back of the net to make it 3-0 and continue the Reds resurgence under John Kosmina.
Melbourne Heart tried to find an equalizer, but their finishing continued to be astray as they continued to be completely outplayed by Adelaide United, killing their chances of toping the league at the end of the day.
Melbourne Heart pulled one back in stoppage time as Eli Babalj put away a good strike from the edge of the box, after some neat footwork and then the Heart powered through in stoppage time but it was always going to be too little too late as Adelaife won 3-1.
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