The Wellington Phoenix had a happy new year to celebrate after two second-half goals from striker Paul Ifill gave the visitors a 2-0 victory at Central Coast in football's A-League.
Ifill won and converted a penalty just after half-time and struck again in the 80th minute against the Mariners.
Coach Ricki Herbert described his leading scorer as the best player in the league.
Another to shine was ex-Mariner Adrian Caceres, who set up the second goal and played a blinder against the team he left earlier this season.
It was the first win in five games for the Phoenix, who leapfrog the Mariners up to seventh after the home side's fifth straight loss and their sixth game without a win.
It leaves Herbert's side a point out of the playoffs and with four of their seven remaining games at home as they seek to enter the post-season for the first time.
Included in the home matches is a game in Christchurch.
