The distances involved in reaching away games – particularly in Perth's case, where the time difference is also a factor – are much greater; the heat is more taxing, and the hardness of the grounds exact its own toll.

So it was hardly surprising that despite their efforts neither side could really produce any clear-cut efforts on goal in a first half in which City began with purpose and plenty of possession but Glory finished the stronger in more threatening fashion.

Much of the talk early in the January transfer window had centred on the mooted swap deal between the two clubs' main strikers, with City possibly offloading out-of-favour frontman Bruno Fornaroli to Glory in exchange for Andy Keogh, the Perth club's main hitman.

That was never really a runner, particularly after Keogh had made it pretty clear he was not interested in shifting east.

City, meanwhile, was looking to bounce back from its shock defeat to bottom club Central Coast on Wednesday night and coach Warren Joyce was still having to improvise with his forward set-ups to find a way to goal.

Warhorse Ritchie De Laet was once again employed up front and the Belgian produced his trademark wholehearted performance, running hard, chasing down opponents and trying to fashion something whenever the ball came his way.

He did well some 10 minutes before the interval to harry Dino Djulbic, the big Perth defender, dispossess him and set up a chance for Florin Berenguer, only for the Frenchman to scuff his shot.

Glory had a half-chance early in the match when Eugene Galekovic's goal kick was intercepted, setting up Neil Kilkenny with the chance to shoot from distance but the City goalkeeper easily dealt with the former City midfielder's effort.

Berenguer, fit again after an injury which had him sidelined for six weeks, was in from the start this time as Joyce looked to rotate his squad, putting Luke Brattan on the bench for the opening period.

Glory's veteran Spanish midfielder Diego Castro began to exert his influence on proceedings as the game wore on. He might be in the veteran stage now, but his touch is still silky, his lack of pace not such a hinderance at close quarters where his dribbling buys him time, and he retains the vision to pick a pass.

As Glory began to push forward before the interval he became a more influential figure, near the interval finding Jason Davidson whose pass gave Keogh the opportunity to shoot.

City appeals for a penalty shortly after the restart were ignored when Rostyn Griffiths went down in the box under a clumsy challenge from Djulbic, while Keogh had an excellent chance to open his account at the other end after being played through by Kilkenny. The striker's run took him past City defender Harrison Delbridge, but the latter did well to recover and prevent Keogh getting a shot on target.

Glory had a clear-cut chance in the 82nd minute when Castro slid a well-weighted pass through to Keogh, Galekovic doing well to block the Irishman's shot. The ball fell to Davidson, who had the whole goal at his mercy but skied his effort from inside the area.

It rather summed up a contest which had promised much but delivered few thrills.