The Wellington Phoenix have been unable to capitalise on a good start in their A-League fixture against Perth, losing 2-1.
Roy Krishna Photo: Photosport
Making matters worse for the Phoenix, their goal scorer, Roy Krishna, was shown a red card in the match.
The contest started brightly for Phoenix as top scorer Krishna extended his tally to eight for the season by putting the away in front on 10 minutes.
Wellington were in control and creating plenty of chances, but went into the break level after Rostyn Griffiths produced a stunning shot to make it 1-1 on the stroke of half time.
Shortly after the break Glory took the lead through an Adam Taggart header and the visitors' hopes of mounting a fightback took a blow when Krishna was sent off for what the referee had deemed a dangerous challenge on the hour mark.
Shane Smeltz started the match for Phoenix in what was his first game since returning to the club in December.
The All Whites striker was heavily involved early on as Wellington put pressure on the Glory defence and almost went in front on five minutes.
Kosta Barbarouses put Krishna through on goal, but the Fijian striker was denied by the quick reactions of Perth goalkeeper Liam Reddy.
Five minutes later Phoenix took a deserved lead as Smeltz showed great vision to find Krishna who burst into the area and fired in a powerful diagonal shot which got the better of Reddy and put Wellington 1-0 up.
It also proved a landmark Hyundai A-League goal with the Fijian claiming the competition's 4000th goal.
Despite the away side's first-half dominance, Perth managed to level before the interval as Griffiths hit an unstoppable drive from outside the box to make it 1-1 at half time.
Glory then took the lead early in the second half as Andy Keogh crossed in for Taggart who headed home from close range.
The result leaves the Phoenix in eighth on the A-League ladder.
-RNZ
