Marcelo Carrusca earns Adelaide dramatic late win over Sydney

Marcelo Carrusca converted a penalty deep into stoppage time to secure a 2-1 A-League victory for strugglers Adelaide United against Sydney FC.

It was Adelaide who opened the scoring at their Hindmarsh Stadium in the 62nd minute, with James Jeggo volleying past Vedran Janjetovic.

The visitors were soon level, however, with Filip Holosko chesting down a ball into the box, before firing a strike into the far corner of the net on the turn.

But just as the game looked to be finishing up as a draw, Adelaide were awarded a penalty -- Dylan McGowan was brought down in the area -- with Carrusca coolly slotting home in the 95th minute.

The victory keeps Adelaide in eighth place, but they are now five points clear of bottom spot, while Sydney remain third, three points behind leaders Western Sydney Wanderers.