Melbourne Heart have managed to grab maximum points from their A-League clash against Sydney FC with a 2-1 win, despite falling to 10 men in the first half at AAMI Park.

The home side looked the more lively of the two after the opening 10 minutes, but they were unable to find that clinical touch in the final third to trouble their opponents.

Heart tried to find the back of the net from a counter-attack, which began with Aziz Behich and finished with him after Harry Kewell drew the ball back to allow Behich to take a shot, but it flew wide.

The home side were rocked when Orlando Engelaar received a straight red card for a late and high challenge on Hagi Gligor around half-an-hour into the match.

The blow sparked Sydney into life as they forced the Heart goalkeeper into making a save, but he spilled the ball, allowing Corey Gameiro to latch on to the ball and toe poke it into the back of the net.

After the break, Heart managed to respond to their deficit when Jonatan Germano converted his second effort towards goal after goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic struggled to eventually clear the danger.

Iain Ramsay had a number of chances for Heart, who looked lively on the pitch, despite being down to 10 men, but the midfielder was unable to make the opportunity count.

The breakthrough eventually came for the home side when David Williams ran half the length of the pitch to slide the ball into the back of the net, giving Heart a dramatic late victory.