Soccer: Two late goals sink Wellington

Mitchell Nichols of the Roar and Tony Lochhead of the Phoenix compete for the ball. Photo / Getty Images

It was Australia Day -- and ultimately the Brisbane Roar's night -- as they dented the A-League soccer playoff hopes of the Wellington Phoenix with a record-equalling 2-0 victory on neutral ground on the Gold Coast.

The Phoenix were on the verge of banking the precious point that would have lifted them to sixth on the competition ladder tonight before substitute midfielder James Meyer struck in the 85th and 90th minutes to stretch his team's unbeaten record to 22 matches, level with Apia Leichhardt's sequence in the 1986-87 national league.

Meyer's left foot shot after dispossessing Nick Ward on the edge of the box was innocuous until it took a wicked deflection off Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante to leave goalkeeper Danny Vukovic on his knees.

Vukovic was also powerless to prevent the second as Meyer, who had entered the fray in the 72nd minute, had a virtual tap-in after German midfielder Thomas Broich's angled chip deflected off the crossbar.

The continuation of the Phoenix's wretched away form -- just one win in 13 visits across the Tasman -- leaves them in seventh place, one point behind the Melbourne Heart although the New Zealanders do have a game in hand and four matches left to secure a place in the top six.

Brisbane are nine points clear at the top of the table and extended their remarkable scoring record, becoming the first club to record 50 goals in the regular season.

A minute's silence was observed to remember victims of the Queensland floods, and the atmosphere remained relatively muted throughout the round 23 match postponed from January 16.

While Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium remains unplayable after being submerged by the floodwaters, Gold Coast United's headquarters also displayed the legacy of 1300mm of rain since September in the form of a bumpy playing surface that arguably benefited the Phoenix.

Renowned for their smooth passing game, Brisbane were unable to construct a threatening movement until late in the first half when Vukovic was finally called upon to thwart a chested effort from Ivan Franjic.

The Roar monopolised possession but the Phoenix defended stoutly and also provided the early offensive threats through tireless target man Dylan Macallister.

The Australian striker, who started despite rumours he may be rested ahead of the crucial home match against Newcastle on Sunday, went close to adding to his record of four goals in five matches when he forced a sharp save from Michael Theoklitos in the 14th minute.

Wellington racked up the first five shots on goal but the opportunities dried up as Brisbane enjoyed more time on the ball.

That trend continued in the second half and it seemed inevitable Brisbane would break the deadlock when former Phoenix striker Kosta Barbarouses concocted a couple of probing runs into the box in the 47th minute.

He was guilty of neglecting to shoot in favour of an intercepted pass to Costa Rican strike partner Jean Carlos Solorzano and moments later his cross narrowly missed the unmarked Costa Rican's forehead.

The Phoenix also had their moments; Manny Muscat's long range effort had to tipped over the bar while Theoklitos was fortunate a glancing header by Chris Greenacre drifted wide after he made a weak attempt to clear.

- NZPA