Nathan Burns scored a tap-in to provide the Wellington Phoenix with all three points in a disjointed match in Wellington tonight.
A defensive lapse from Daniel Mullen let the Wellington Phoenix get in behind through Roy Krishna and the Fijian winger provided a simple cross for Burns to slot home late in the second half.
Wanderers manager Tony Popovic unleashed Nikita Rukavytsya & Seyi Adeleke for their Western Sydney debuts, while Matthew Spiranovic returned to the starting squad for the first time since the World Cup.
A dour first half was lit up in only a handful of moments, Romeo Castelen showing a clean pair of heels to break into the box on the right, his cut back found Rukavytsya who scuffed his shot, the ball looping out for a goal kick.
Wellington fired back through Michael McGlinchey, a free kick from outside the box that he took with the right foot, it had Covic going the wrong way but it never swerved back towards goal. Moment before half-time they should have been in front, a wide free kick beat everyone, falling to the back post where Louis Fenton had what should have been a simple finish. Perhaps spooked by the post the fullback butchered the golden chance.
On 52 minutes the Wanderers launched in a free kick that created a pinball scramble, with three Wanderers, 4 Wellington players plus their goalkeeper in the 6 yard box Tomi Juric managed to knock the ball on to Spiranovic who had his toepoke saved in desperate fashion by a smothering Glenn Moss.
The key moment came with 10 minutes to play, Daniel Mullen failing to cover Roy Krishna, and he delivered a simply cross for an effortless tap-in to Nathan Burns.
The Wanderers remain in equal last position along with fellow Grand Finalists from last season the Brisbane Roar. They still have at least a game in hand on the majority of the league and have new players still yet to truly get up to match fitness, so it is hardly panic stations.
The Wanderers have another long flight for their match on Saturday week against Perth Glory.
The Wanderers next match is against Perth Glory on Saturday the 15th of November.
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