The Wellington Phoenix have beaten the Glory 2-1 in their A-League football clash in Perth.
Vince Lia of the Wellington Phoenix. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It took until the dying stages but the Phoenix got a deserved second goal to beat a 10-man Perth outfit.
Look back at our live scoring here
The Glory's international signings Guyon Fernandez and Diego Castro again failed to create scoring chances on Sunday, but it still took until the 89th minute for the Phoenix to put the home side away.
Perth captain Richard Garcia's receipt of a second yellow card in the 84th minute opened the door for the visitors and Vince Lia obliged five minutes later, prodding home the winning goal.
But it was an otherwise largely muddling affair after a promising opening.
The Glory got on the board first through Gyorgy Sandor in the seventh minute when he perfectly latched on to a Mitchell Oxborrow corner.
The Phoenix responded just two minutes later with Roy Krishna having too many tricks for Perth defender Michael Thwaite.
For the rest of the half the Wellington side's attacking threats of Krishna, Michael McGlinchey, Rolieny Bonevacia and Jeffrey Sarpong looked far more dangerous and creative.
The scoreboard did not show it until Lia saved the more dominant side's blushed just before full-time.
The Phoenix are now one and one and host the unbeaten Brisbane Roar this weekend.
Coach Ernie Merrick paid tribute to the defensive unit of Ben Sigmund, Manny Muscat, Tom Doyle and Louis Fenton for keeping out the Glory's attack after Gyorgy Sandor's early opener.
Merrick said their efforts were particularly impressive given Phoenix captain and defensive mainstay Andrew Durrante was missing in action with a calf injury.
