Second-placed Auckland were hoping to take advantage of league leader Newcastle Jets' 3-2 loss to Macarthur on Thursday, while the Reds were seeking to keep in touch with the top two.
Adelaide were fourth heading into Friday night's match, four points behind Auckland and eight points adrift of the Jets.
United scored midway through the first half and the visitors responded soon after the interval in a spiteful clash in which 10 yellow cards were given, eight to Auckland.
Reds coach Airton Andrioli felt his side did enough to win the game.
"If you look at the number of chances and opportunities we had, especially towards the end of the game we should have won the game," he said.
"I'm happy with the performance of the team, but I'm disappointed with not getting the three points tonight."
The visitors were dealt a blow prior to kick off with goalkeeper Michael Woud injured in the warm-up, thrusting reserve shot stopper James Hilton into the starting XI for his A-League debut.
Both sides contributed to a bright opening quarter hour but it was the Reds who broke the deadlock on 25 minutes.
Juan Muniz opened the play with a delightful switch, releasing Ryan Kitto wide on the left, who provided a cut back for Jonny Yull on the edge of the area.
The midfielder's shot was blocked by some desperate defending from Dan Hall, but the rebound fell to Ethan Alagich, who unleashed a first time, left-footed half volley from 20 metres which flew into the bottom corner of the net.
Auckland equalised three minutes into the second half courtesy of a stunning strike from Chilean Luis Gallegos.
After a well worked passage and a neat exchange of passes, Callan Elliot was put through on the right wing and lifted a cross to the top of the box.
Gallegos set himself before powerfully dispatching a left-footed volley into the back of the net, leaving Joshua Smits no chance in the Reds' goal.
Panagiotis Kikianis had a glorious chance to put United back in front soon after when Muniz whipped in a free kick from the left, but the Adelaide centre back sent his shot over the bar.
There was late drama when Auckland substitute Hiroki Sakai lunged with both feet on Reds' substitute Brody Burkitt.
Referee Alex King showed Sakai a yellow card before VAR intervened. Following the review, the caution surprisingly stood but another yellow was issued to Guillermo May after the ensuing melee.
United upped the ante in injury time in search of a winner, peppering the visitors' penalty area, but they were unable to find a goal to claim all three points.
Despite the draw, Auckland coach Steve Corica was satisfied with the point and closing the gap on the Jets.
"Obviously for us it's a difficult place to come here," he said.
"We picked up one point, we're one point closer to Newcastle after their loss last night, so in the end I suppose it's not too bad for us."
