City were beginning to get into their rhythm as both teams probed for a weakness in what was rapidly becoming an end to end contest.
Johan Absalonsen, making his first start for the hosts since October following thigh and glute injuries, drove over a cross which Bouzanis held comfortably.
Adelaide coach Marco Kurz was booked – for the third time this season – by referee Chris Beath and his centre back Jordan Elsey followed him shortly after for a crude challenge on Arzani as the young winger tried to break beyond him into space.
Adelaide celebrate a goal.
Photo: AAP
That was in the 28th minute. Two minutes later Elsey again transgressed, tripping Dario Vidosic in the penalty area as the City forward sprinted towards goal. Beath pointed to the spot, but much to the surprise of all in the stadium did not administer a second yellow card and send Elsey off.
Fornaroli stepped up to put City into the lead – only to be denied by an excellent diving save from Paul Izzo, who guessed correctly and went to his right to palm the ball away.
The goalkeeper again saved from the Uruguayan 10 minutes later as Fornaroli looked to make amends.
Just as an absorbing first half was coming to an end it was Adelaide who punished City's penalty spot profligacy by taking the lead – their first goal against City in nearly four hours of football this season.
The move was started by Adlung, who found Mileusenic on the right. His ball was bicked up by Nathan Konstandopoulos, who cut a pass back for Absalonsen to drive home from inside the area.
Bruno Fornaroli receives a yellow card.
Photo: AAP
The Danish forward almost doubled the lead shortly after the restart when his downward header from a Michael Marrone cross was finger tipped away by Bouzanis, and shortly afterwards his shot flew just past Bouzanis right hand post.
But City was undeterred and the Victorians were back on level terms in the 53rd minute courtesy of former Adelaide player Stefan Mauk, who reacted first when Arzani's well flighted cross was punched clear by Izzo into the path of the City midfielder, shooting straight past the goalkeeper.
Mauk almost went from villain to hero soon after when he lost the ball in a dangerous spot, Mileusenic getting clear only to see his shot blocked well at the near post by Bouzanis.
Fornaroli went into the referee's book midway through the second half and Arzani then tried to skip through the Adelaide defence but was upended before he could get a shot off, Beath waving play on.
City's recent signing Oliver Bozanic then found space and pivoted before firing over the bar.
Arzani had the ball in the net 14 minutes from time only for the ''goal'' to be disallowed for an earlier offside.
Adelaide had plenty of the ball as the clock ticked down but failed to create any clear cut chances while a the other end City substitute Nick Fitzgerald fired just wide and then Mauk got on the end of Vidosic's 89th minute cross only to flash his effort just off target.
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Michael Lynch, The Age's expert on soccer, has had extensive experience of high level journalism in the UK and Australia. Michael has covered the Socceroos through Asia, Europe and South America in their past three World Cup campaigns. He has also reported on Grands Prix and top class motor sport from Asia and Europe. He has won several national media awards for both sports and industry journalism.
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