ADELAIDE'S claim to a top-four spot was shaken last night by a brave Essendon at AAMI Stadium.

The Bombers' cheer squad claimed their side had come to play, and they were right as it hassled and bustled the Crows, but ultimately was not rewarded.

Chances went astray for both sides in a desperate finish, as neither outfit scored for the last eight minutes of the game.

Adelaide continued where it left off in Perth — 5.17 — with appalling kicking for goal, mistakes under pressure, and coach Neil Craig shuffling his pack of besieged players. "I'm relieved with the result, because the way it's panning out that's a really important win for us, particularly after last week when our performance was substandard," he said.

But, overall, this was a superb contest, and full marks — but no premiership points — to Essendon. The two sides were poles apart on the premiership ladder, but no one told the Essendon players as they repeatedly threw themselves at the ball, withstood everything the Crows threw at them, and refused to stop persisting.

The Bombers' chances were supposed to depend heavily on their key forwards, Matthew Lloyd, and Scott Lucas, returning from an injury in the opening series, and while they battled well, the gallant effort was largely due to a band of energetic youngsters who dared to take on their much-fancied opponent.

Bombers coach Matthew Knights said his men had set the standardlast night for effort and intensity that they must replicate every week.

"It leaves a hollow feeling for myself and our players, they put themselves right on the line from minute one tonight," he said.

Essendon held on and niggled, trying to frustrate the Crows, and for the most part — especially in the first half — the tactics worked. The forwards drifted wide and received quick, low passes, and the Dons deserved an early ascendancy, kicking 3.1 before Adelaide looked like scoring a goal.

Such were Adelaide's early woes that Jason Porplyzia ran into goal on a 45 degree angle, with his nearest opponent 20 metres away, bounced, and missed. He missed another easy shot, and Brett Burton was also guilty — he scored 0.2 from his first six attempts, with other shots going wide or falling short. Even Andrew McLeod gave away a 50-metre penalty, presenting Essendon with a certain goal.

The Bombers made it tough with close checking, including Dustin Fletcher, who repeatedly spoiled attempts by Kurt Tippett. Essendon had many fine players, including Andrew Lovett and David Hille.

There was no doubt that Adelaide became extremely frustrated over free kicks it didn't receive — and with justification — but in contrast, Essendon was denied some, too, but just got on with the game.

Adelaide once more failed to make the most of opportunities. Trailing by four points at half-time, it was imperative that it made a strong statement upon resuming. When Simon Goodwin missed an easy chance, Essendon went down and kicked two goals to move 15 points clear. And then Ivan Maric, Nathan van Berlo and Brent Reilly missed golden opportunities for the Crows, and their mindset became a real issue. Remember, this was fourth playing 14th.

Essendon battled extremely well, and found character when it mattered. And it has discovered a terrific young player in Perth recruit David Myers, who in just his fourth AFL game was damaging. To Adelaide's credit, it worked itself back into the match midway through the third quarter but yet again, hearts were broken in the stands.

Richard Douglas applied a superb tackle on Tayte Pears — a late inclusion for Jay Neagle — but missed from 35 metres dead in front with the free kick.

Signs that the Adelaide magic is vaporising also came when Burton had an opportunity to snare a freak goal, but it was not to be.

Adelaide just kept trying, working hard for every possession. When Tippett missed another set shot to take Adelaide's score to 5.16, one wondered how much more Craig and the fans could take.

The special moment, the game-breaker, came. Burton kicked a ball mid-air to snatch the lead. Adelaide improved with its player awareness, found the gaps, and turned the pressure on Essendon. Adam McPhee's performance in the second half was outstanding.

Both sides missed easy chances in the last, and hit the post. And you wonder whether coaches are paid enough.

With AAP