Brisbane Roar increased their lead at the top of the A-League with an emphatic 4-0 victory over second-placed Adelaide United despite playing much of the second-half with 10 men.

The hosts took the lead with two minutes to go in the first period at Suncorp Stadium when Massimo Murdocca fed Reinaldo with his back to goal and he swivelled and fired into the back of the net.

However, the goalscorer turned villain in the 54th minute when he was brought down by Robert Cornthwaite when seemingly through on goal. Questioning referee Matthew Breeze as to why the Adelaide defender was not off led to a second booking and Brisbane were down to 10 men.

It mattered little as moments later, Matt Smith crashed home Erik Paartalu's cross to extend their lead. Kosta Barbarouses then netted a quickfire double just after the hour mark to seal the points after being fed by Mitch Nichols and Luke De Vere.

Elsewhere, third-placed Gold Coast United remained in touch with the leaders following a 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium.

Deprived of a number of first-team players through injury, Gold Coast clinched the points 10 minutes into the second period when Roddy Vargas powered a header into his own net from Adama Traore's cross.

Archie Thompson also made his return for the hosts after eight months out with a knee injury but the veteran striker was unable to get Melbourne back into the contest.