All Whites striker Shane Smeltz scored his third goal of the A-League football season to inspire the Perth Glory to a 1-nil victory over the Wellington Phoenix in Perth.
Smeltz latched on to the end of a beautiful set-piece play to notch the winner in the 33rd minute, lifting the unbeaten Glory to equal top of the table with fellow pacesetters Brisbane.
The 30-year-old Kiwi international, who spent two seasons at the Phoenix, had a chance to bag a double against his former club, but sprayed his 70th-minute effort way over the crossbar after making a tiring 30m run into the box.
Wellington were reduced to 10 men in the 93rd minute when defender Manny Muscat was shown a second yellow card for elbowing Billy Mehmet as he contested a header.
The Phoenix almost scored an equaliser in the 54th minute, but a fingertip from Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic was enough to send Ben Sigmund's goalward-bound header into the crossbar and safely away.
