A delayed flight from the UK scuppered any chance of Birmingham City striker Alex Jones being rushed straight into the side and the problems for the Phoenix remained the same.
There were lapses in concentration at the back, a lack of precision in their build-up play and wasted chances in the attacking third.
McGlinchey was perhaps the main culprit, missing a sitter from 10 yards out late in the second half that must have had Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick tearing his hair out.
For ten weeks now Merrick has lamented his attacking midfielders' inability to get on the score sheet and McGlinchey's miss perhaps highlighted the Phoenix's plight; all industry, no final product.
The Phoenix lack a genuine goal scorer, but it's beginning to look like they now also lack belief.
Promoted Phoenix Reserves player Joel Stevens had two good chances in the first half, the kind Roy Krishna might have scored, but dribbled one attempt wide and forced a good save with the other.
But unfortunately, the Phoenix's defence hasn't fared much better. The Phoenix conceded three goals in four of their last five matches and signs of a disorganised backline appeared again in the 20th minute.
A peach of a cross from a Nebojsa Marinkovic freekick was powered home by the head of Chris Harold, but the Glory striker was left wide open inside the box.
Glen Moss pulled of a couple of fantastic saves to keep the Phoenix in the game and Perth should have secured the result in the second half when Andy Keogh missed a one on one.
The road doesn't get any easier for the Phoenix. Next week they travel to Sydney to face the league leading Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Phoenix now sit 11 points off the top six with nine games left in the season. They are in need of a miracle.
Wellington Phoenix 0
Perth Glory 1 (Chris Harold)
HT 1-0.
