Football: Phoenix draw with Melbourne City

Harry Novillo of Melbourne City gets away from Manny Muscat of Wellington Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images

Phoenix 0 Melbourne City 0
The Wellington Phoenix will finish in the A-League's top four and they have two weeks to ensure that achievement isn't remembered as the high point of their campaign.

The Phoenix's 0-0 draw with Melbourne City tonight did two things - it guaranteed the Wellington fans will be treated to at least one home playoff fixture but it also dampened hope for that number to increase.

Needing only to avoid defeat at AAMI Park to lock up a top-four finish, the Phoenix owed Glen Moss a debt of gratitude for walking away with a share of the spoils, with the goalkeeper making a string of superb saves.

But the result did little to aid the quest for a higher finish, leaving the Phoenix trailing leaders Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC by just a point but having played a game more than their two rivals for the Premier's Plate.

The Phoenix are without a win in three games and, with two to play, must find form in their final home fixtures against Central Coast and Sydney. If not for an improved spot on the table then at least for some confidence ahead of the finals, hoping to head to the playoffs in style rather than stuttering across the line.

Their efforts against Melbourne were certainly improved when compared to their recent back-to-back 3-0 home defeats. They played the possession game well in patches and Nathan Burns' missed penalty in the first half was one of a number of opportunities that went begging.

But that's not to say the Phoenix were in charge, however. Only Moss' heroics prevented defeat, excelling in both halves to turn away shot after shot and keep the Phoenix from falling to a third successive defeat.

Moss' impact was obvious from almost the opening whistle. Having conceded goals in the first 10 minutes of their three previous fixtures, the Phoenix had their goalkeeper to thank as they barely avoided increasing that streak.

The All Whites custodian made several decent saves as Melbourne completely dominated the early exchanges, although the Phoenix also headed to the sheds shaking their heads at having drawn a blank.

Because, after surviving the opening onslaught, the visitors took control of proceedings.

Both Burns and Roy Krishna were provided plenty of space through quick and decisive passing in the middle of the park, with the Phoenix consistently finding gaps in the Melbourne defence.

The only thing missing was the final touch and Burns was the worst transgressor, hitting a tame penalty straight at Tando Velaphi after Louis Fenton was bundled over in the box.

Despite that miss, there certainly seemed to be goals in the game, with the Phoenix having come into the contest scoring 29 of their 41 goals this season after halftime.

But if those statistics suggested a duel at one end of the park, it was down the other end where the net most looked like being breached, with Moss severely tested on another three occasions and passing every examination to earn his side a point.

Melbourne City 0
Wellington Phoenix 0
HT: 0-0