18 Apr 2015

Phoenix keep top-two hopes alive

6:16 am on 18 April 2015

The Wellington Phoenix have come from two goals down to beat the visiting Central Coast Mariners 3-2 - with the last goal coming in injury time in the capital.

Substitute Kenny Cunningham's second goal keeps the Phoenix's hopes of a top-two finish alive, with the Phoenix up to third place with one game of the regular season remaining.

Kenny Cunningham won't mind this yellow card

Kenny Cunningham won't mind this yellow card Photo: Photosport

The race for playoff places in Australian football's A-League is going down to the wire, after Sydney FC also beat the Newcastle Jets 4-3 on Friday night, to move level with the Melbourne Victory on the table.

The two top teams are just a point above the Phoenix, who host Sydney next Sunday.

Down 2-0 at half-time, the Phoenix only scored their first goal on the 64th minute mark through Dutch import Roly Bonevacia.

Then Cunningham struck again 15 minutes later, before also adding the match-winner in the last minute.

The top two teams gain home advantage throughout the playoffs.