Brisbane Roar remain winless in four A-League matches under Robbie Fowler after slipping to a late 1-0 defeat at Adelaide United on Sunday.

The visitors squandered several chances at Coopers Stadium and were made to rue their profligacy in the 84th minute.

James Troisi completed a tidy one-two with Nikola Mileusnic before squaring for Riley McGree to prod home the winner.

Adelaide are now up to fifth, while Brisbane are languishing in ninth with just two points and a single goal to show for their efforts.

Melbourne Victory's malaise continued in the day's early match as they escaped with a 1-1 draw against bottom-placed Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park.

Marco Kurz's men have struggled to meet expectations this season and needed a composed Ola Toivonen finish in the 66th minute to claim a point, their fifth from as many matches.

The Victory captain had been the cause of his team's early deficit, having been punished for a handball in the box following a VAR review.

Ulises Davila converted the fifth-minute penalty and Wellington would have had a second goal to celebrate had Lawrence Thomas not acrobatically denied Alex Rufer late in the second half.