Melbourne skip five points clear in A-League

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SYDNEY, Nov 29, 2009 (AFP) - Defending champions Melbourne Victory opened up a five-point lead at the top of Australia's A-League after a 4-0 rout of Gold Coast United this weekend.

Socceroo striker Archie Thompson scored twice as the Victory bounced back from a 4-0 belting by Central Coast at their previous home outing.

Robbie Kruse opened the scoring in the 28th minute and Nick Ward made it 2-0 just before halftime before Thompson's brace to take his season tally to eight.

Sydney FC crashed to their third straight loss as Newcastle Jets climbed off the bottom of the standings with a convincing 3-1 win at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.

English striker Michael Bridges scored twice against his old club while captain Matt Thompson made it 3-0 before Alex Brosque grabbed a late consolation for Sydney.

Central Coast Mariners leapfrogged Gold Coast into third spot after grinding out a scoreless home draw with Perth Glory.

It brought to an end to the Mariners' scoring spree of nine goals in their past two matches.

Former Liverpool player Robbie Fowler netted his ninth goal of the season as North Queensland Fury bounced back from last week's 5-1 drubbing by the Central Coast to defeat Adelaide United 2-1 at home.

Fowler scored with a left-foot volley after Daniel McBreen's opener before a last reply from Adelaide's Brazilian striker Cristiano.

North Queensland got a much-needed confidence boost, moving off the bottom of the table while last year's AFC Champions League finalists Adelaide remain on a downward spiral and are last of the 10 teams.

Brazilian striker Reinaldo scored a double as Brisbane Roar downed Wellington Phoenix 4-1 at home on Sunday to climb to seventh place.

Dutchman Sergio van Dijk netted a well-taken free kick and substitute David Dodd added a fourth in stoppage time.

English striker Chris Greenacre got Wellington's only goal in the first half.