Roy Krishna scored his fifth goal of the season, but the Wellington Phoenix were denied a point after a late penalty secured Melbourne City a 2-1 A-League win at AAMI Park last night.
Roy Krishna in action for the Wellington Phoenix. Photo: PhotoSport
A deflected shot from Nick Fitzgerald spun beyond the reach of Glen Moss and gave City the lead in the 44th minute.
The Phoenix equalised in the second half when Kosta Barbarouses was brought down in the box and Krishna scored from the penalty spot with a follow-up attempt.
City then got a penalty of their own at the other end and Bruno Fornaroli stepped up to slot in the spot kick and seal a 2-1 win.
Melbourne City looked threatening early on but Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss made a string of vital saves to keep the home side at bay.
Referee Kurt Ams had his hands full early on, waving Krishna's early penalty appeal away after the forward thought he deserved a spot kick.
The hosts broke the deadlock just before the break when Fitzgerald carved out space in the box and fired a shot, which took a deflection off Marco Rossi before wrong-footing Moss.
Phoenix keeper Glen Moss makes a save Photo: Photosport
Ernie Merrick's side came out after the break looking much stronger and in control, after enjoying long spells of possession which had City on the back foot.
Krishna found redemption after he was awarded a penalty and then eventually scored, after it was initially saved, with the striker quickest to react to the loose ball.
In the 70th minute it was City that earned a penalty when the referee pointed to the spot after a tussle between Rossi and Bruno Fornaroli in the box.
Fornaroli slotted in the penalty to make 2-1 win for City.
Phoenix created a number of good chances late on, but as has so often been the case this season they weren't able to add the finishing touch.
The Phoenix are second to last in the standings.
- RNZ
