Instead, Andrioli had to settle for a point from a fiery 1-1 draw. United's Ethan Alagich opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a stunning long range half volley, but it was cancelled out by an equally impressive strike from Luis Gallegos three minutes into the second half.
In match which produced 10 yellow cards, including eight for Auckland, Andrioli praised his young side as they matched the visitors' physicality. The Reds fought hard for a winner in the closing stages but Auckland held firm.
"Today was again another step in the right direction," he said.
"We matched probably the most physical side in the league and our boys just matched them for every inch of the game and I'm proud of the boys for that reason.
"We played the football that we wanted to play and any other day, if we take some of those chances or half chances, or the final pass and we are a little bit more clinical in that area I think we get the result.
"it would be the right team winning game if that would have happened."
Adelaide were fourth heading into the clash, four points behind second-placed Auckland and eight points adrift of league leader Newcastle Jets, who lost to Macarthur 3-2 on Thursday.
United and Auckland were looking to close the gap on the Jets, who Adelaide face on Sunday in Newcastle.
With the Reds now seven points behind the leaders with three games remaining, Andrioli isn't thinking about the Premiers' Plate.
"I don't know; I just want to go to Newcastle and get a result over there," he said.
"That's the only thing we are concentrating on now because that's the only thing we can do; win your next match.
"I think we can go to Newcastle and get a result and then take the next game and the next one, and that's the only thing you can concentrate on."
Auckland coach Steve Corica conceded that the Jets losing a day earlier likely added some extra pressure on his side heading into their fixture against United. They trail Newcastle by three points with three games remaining.
"Yeah definitely, I think the boys were buzzing obviously last night (after Newcastle's loss) but we didn't get the three points," Corica said.
"I suppose we're one point closer, so we've closed the gap a little bit. Probably our goal difference is a little bit better than Newcastle's as well, so all these little details come into it towards the end of the season.
"I think everyone has got important games coming up. I think the final three games, us and Newcastle play the same teams."
