The Wellington Phoenix have been beaten 2-0 by the Melbourne Victory in their A-League football match in front of 24,000 fans in Melbourne.
With a re-arranged team, the Victory scored goals in each half to go top of the A-League standings.
Ernie Merrick Photo: Photosport
The Phoenix came close to an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Rolieny Bonevacia played in Nathan Burns, however the forward was denied by Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe.
Wellington coach Ernie Merrick shuffled things up at half-time to try to get back in the game with the introduction of striker Jeremy Brockie in place of midfielder Alex Rodriguez.
It proved fruitful with the Phoenix enjoying a bright start to the second 45 minutes.
Nathan Burns says they didn't really keep the ball much in midfield, it broke down a lot of their players.
He says they didn't have the flare on the night, but they'll put this one behind them and move on.
The Phoenix are fifth on the table with their next match against the Western Sydney Wanderers in Wellington on Friday.
