Bruce Djite gave United the perfect start after just 8 minutes before the Glory struck back four minutes later through James Robinson.
The home side then went ahead on the stroke of half time through Nikita Rukavytsya until a Travis Dodd scorcher levelled the scores again but a Jamie Harnwell goal two minutes later meant Perth would have the last laugh.
With any chance of making the finals dashed 24 hours earlier when the Newcastle Jets sewed up a place in the top four after defeating the Central Coast Mariners, United went into the dead rubber with pride to play for and looking for its first win since November last year.
Perth had the first chance of the game in the 7th minute when the speedy Rukavytsya was closing in on goal down the left, only to be kept out by a superb save from Reds keeper Eugene Galekovic.
A minute later United made Perth pay for its missed opportunity when Jason Spagnuolo headed the ball into the penalty area for Nathan Burns, who masterfully controlled the ball before spinning and turning to shoot. His attempt was blocked but it fell invitingly for Djite and with a swinging left footed shot he put the ball past Perth keeper Jason Petkovic to score his fifth of the season.
United’s joy was short lived however, Robinson getting on the end of a Billy Celeski ball from the right to equalise in the 12th minute.
Trying to respond, Spagnuolo tried his luck from long range after a threatening run in the 30th minute but his shot was well wide of the mark.
Looking to avoid the wooden spoon, the Glory forced the issue for the remainder of the opening half, a Stan Lazaridis shot in the 33rd minute requiring another terrific save from Galekovic.
Then on the stroke of half time United was caught napping when a Glory long ball from defence found Rukavytsya, who turned and left Angelo Costanzo in his dust before slotting the ball past Galekovic to make it 2-1.
Perth carried its momentum into the second half but in the 59th minute against the run of play, United’s captain stepped up to the plate, Dodd measuring a cracker from 25 metres out that smashed into the top corner of the net.
However, Perth hit straight back in the 61st minute when Lazaridis dispossessed Richie Alagich and sent a ball in from the left, Rukavytsya attracting two United defenders leaving Harnwell at the far post unattended to score.
United was seemingly deflated having scored two goals away from home again only to be behind on the scoreboard, and Perth continued to apply the pressure, Robert Cornthwaite coming to the rescue in the 71st minute blocking another Rukavytsya effort.
As United searched for a late equaliser, Djite had a half chance foiled by Petkovic in the 89th minute before a Cassio free kick at the death was blocked by the Glory wall.
The 3-2 result sends United down to sixth place while it moves Perth above the Wellington Phoenix.
The Reds have one more chance to capture some form ahead of the AFC Champions League when they host Queensland Roar at Hindmarsh Stadium next Sunday.
The home side then went ahead on the stroke of half time through Nikita Rukavytsya until a Travis Dodd scorcher levelled the scores again but a Jamie Harnwell goal two minutes later meant Perth would have the last laugh.
With any chance of making the finals dashed 24 hours earlier when the Newcastle Jets sewed up a place in the top four after defeating the Central Coast Mariners, United went into the dead rubber with pride to play for and looking for its first win since November last year.
Perth had the first chance of the game in the 7th minute when the speedy Rukavytsya was closing in on goal down the left, only to be kept out by a superb save from Reds keeper Eugene Galekovic.
A minute later United made Perth pay for its missed opportunity when Jason Spagnuolo headed the ball into the penalty area for Nathan Burns, who masterfully controlled the ball before spinning and turning to shoot. His attempt was blocked but it fell invitingly for Djite and with a swinging left footed shot he put the ball past Perth keeper Jason Petkovic to score his fifth of the season.
United’s joy was short lived however, Robinson getting on the end of a Billy Celeski ball from the right to equalise in the 12th minute.
Trying to respond, Spagnuolo tried his luck from long range after a threatening run in the 30th minute but his shot was well wide of the mark.
Looking to avoid the wooden spoon, the Glory forced the issue for the remainder of the opening half, a Stan Lazaridis shot in the 33rd minute requiring another terrific save from Galekovic.
Then on the stroke of half time United was caught napping when a Glory long ball from defence found Rukavytsya, who turned and left Angelo Costanzo in his dust before slotting the ball past Galekovic to make it 2-1.
Perth carried its momentum into the second half but in the 59th minute against the run of play, United’s captain stepped up to the plate, Dodd measuring a cracker from 25 metres out that smashed into the top corner of the net.
However, Perth hit straight back in the 61st minute when Lazaridis dispossessed Richie Alagich and sent a ball in from the left, Rukavytsya attracting two United defenders leaving Harnwell at the far post unattended to score.
United was seemingly deflated having scored two goals away from home again only to be behind on the scoreboard, and Perth continued to apply the pressure, Robert Cornthwaite coming to the rescue in the 71st minute blocking another Rukavytsya effort.
As United searched for a late equaliser, Djite had a half chance foiled by Petkovic in the 89th minute before a Cassio free kick at the death was blocked by the Glory wall.
The 3-2 result sends United down to sixth place while it moves Perth above the Wellington Phoenix.
The Reds have one more chance to capture some form ahead of the AFC Champions League when they host Queensland Roar at Hindmarsh Stadium next Sunday.
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