League-leaders held by in-form Perth in goalless Distance Derby draw 

Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix - Highlights | Isuzu UTE A-League 2023-24 | Round 18

Perth Glory have extended their unbeaten run to six games, drawing 0-0 with league-leaders Wellington Phoenix at HBF Park on Saturday night.

Adam Taggart threatened on multiple occasions for Perth while keepers Alex Paulsen and Oli Sail made clutch saves at opposite ends. Phoenix midfielder Ben Old came closest for the visitors in the second half but struck the post from a narrow angle as both sides kept their respective sheets clean in the goalless draw. 

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Attacking towards a healthy crowd situated in front of The Shed at HBF Park, the hosts came closest to opening the scoring when Taggart received the ball in space inside the box just past the half-hour mark.

Taggart’s attempt was on target but Phoenix defender Scott Wootton made a crucial block.

Glory keeper Sail was up against his former club on Saturday night and he wasn’t willing to let Mohamed Al-Taay pierce his guard from range, making a comfortable save from the Phoenix midfielder’s powerful shot from outside the box.

The second half ebbed and flowed until Old hit the woodwork for the visitors, reminding Glory of the league leaders’ ability to strike at any moment – particularly on the counter attack.

But Wellington would fail in their attempts to break down a stubborn Glory defence as the hosts collected just their second clean sheet of the season, with Sail making one last acrobatic save in the last minute of regular time to deny Phoenix substitute Oskar Zawada a winner at the death.