The Wellington Phoenix cemented their position at the top of the A-League football table with a somewhat controversial 2-1 win over the Roar in Brisbane.
Roar forward Andrija Kaluderovic (left) falls over in the rain as Phoenix defender Michael Boxall (right) chases the ball. Photo: AAP / Glenn Hunt
Torrential rain forced the abandonment of the game after 73 minutes with the visitors leading 2-1 thanks to goals from Michael MGlinchey and Nathan Burns.
Coach Ernie Merrick says he's never experienced a situation where a game was called off and the result stood, though he believes the Phoenix deserved the win.
"It was controversial but they're the rules, I don't think anyone was happy about the weather, it felt like Scotland only it [the rain] is more horizontal in Scotland and much colder. But I thought we were playing good football, we were up 2-1 coming from 1-0 down and we were on top."
Merrick says there was a strange atmosphere in the dressing room following the shortened game.
The game was Merrick's 200th as an A-League coach.
It's the Phoenix's first-ever win over the Roar in Brisbane and extends their competition lead to four points over the Melbourne Victory.
