Conditions were oppressively hot, with the temperature around 35 degrees before kick-off, and drinks breaks taken midway through each half. Yet the Sky Blues were full of energy and their compact defensive structure proved insurmountable for the Glory in the end.

Adam Le Fondre opened the scoring with a moment of pure opportunism in the 18th minute. Milos Ninkovic headed a stray corner kick back into the danger area and the ball ricocheted around waiting for somebody to claim it. Le Fondre didn't need a second invitation, blasting it into the net almost as soon as he saw it.

The Glory nearly drew level in the 31st minute when an Ivan Franjic cross from the right sat beautifully for Andy Keogh - only for his point-blank effort on goal to be blocked by Andrew Redmayne, who appeared to know little about it.

His opposite number Liam Reddy was called into action in the final moments of the first half, producing a remarkable double-save to ensure the Sky Blues didn't extend their lead.

The veteran custodian batted away a ball in from Siem de Jong but only as far as Brosque, who headed the ball straight back towards the target. Reddy's reflexes somehow brought him back up in time to keep it out.

Perth continued to push for the equaliser in the second half but the Sky Blues actually looked the more likely team to score, and eventually did in the 87th minute. It was a local product, Daniel De Silva, who delivered the killer blow.

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After coming onto the field only a few minutes earlier, De Silva was played in by Ninkovic and pulled the trigger from close range to register his first goal of the season and seemingly put it beyond doubt.

But there was a nervy finish - fresh from his elevation into Australia's squad for the Asian Cup, Chris Ikonomidis struck at the back post in the 90th minute to tip in another second ball from a corner kick and make it 2-1.

It instantly energised the Glory, but they could not find a second goal in added time. For a few moments it looked like they did, but referee Jonathan Barreiro disallowed an effort from Brendon Santalab after picking out a contentious foul from Joel Chianese on Redmayne a few seconds earlier in build-up play.