Adelaide has survived a trademark Carlton comeback, and in doing so kept in touch with the top four, with a hard-fought eight-point victory at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

Leading by 32 points early in the fourth quarter, the Crows were given a scare when the Blues came storming home but managed to hang on for the 13.16 (94) to 12.14 (86) win.

The visitors kicked three goals in three minutes and then dominated play for the remainder of the game.

They had plenty of chances to win the game, registering five behinds in a row, but couldn't bridge the gap.

Key forward Jason Porplyzia was knocked out in the second quarter but the Crows discovered a new avenue to goal in the form of Brad Moran.

The 199cm ex-Kangaroo proved too tall for the Blues' defence and kicked four goals; including three in the match-shaping third quarter.

Nathan van Berlo was best on ground with a 40-possession game, Michael Doughty and Kris Massie accumulated impressive statistics while tagger Robert Shirley kept Chris Judd to 15 disposals.

Andrew Carrazzo, Nick Stevens and Heath Scotland were busy performers while Brendan Fevola kicked five goals.

Carlton was the more productive team in a tight first quarter. It kicked the opening two goals of the game through Scotland and Brad Fisher and managed to absorb the Crows' pressure when the home side went into attack.

The Blues' hard work was rewarded during time-on with Fevola muscling his way into the contest. He kicked two majors in three minutes with the second clearing the goal line as the siren blew.

It was a morale-boosting effort for the visitors who went into the first break with a 21-point lead.

Fevola got an early goal in the second quarter but the stanza belonged to Adelaide.

The Crows were brought to life after Porplyzia was felled by a Steven Browne bump 14 minutes into the term.

After a scuffle in their forward 50, they settled down quicker and proceeded to dominate play.

Ivan Maric, Nick Gill and Moran put their names on the scoreboard and their side in front for the first time.

Carlton was under pressure but it didn't panic. A 50-metre goal from Simon Wiggins saw them regain the lead by the smallest of margins at the long break.

The Blues might've got the opening goal of the second half but it was the Crows that controlled the third quarter.

They had 18 inside 50s to 8, were winning the contested ball and