Wellington’s Nicholas Pennington scored a 97th minute goal to secure a 2-1 win over a 10-man Perth Glory but their bid to secure an A-League Men finals spot took a hit with a serious injury to Clayton Lewis.
The Phoenix looked like they were heading for a draw at Leichhardt Oval after Ben Waine gave them a first-half lead and Nick Fitzgerald responded for Glory.
Even when Glory’s Osama Malik was sent off for a professional foul, Wellington struggled to break down Perth’s resolute defence.
But Pennington popped up at a corner and fired in the winner to move the Phoenix level with Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory on 24 points, although they remain in seventh because of their inferior goal difference.
The big concern for Wellington will be the loss of Lewis who reeled in agony after lunging to prevent a ball from going out of play in the second half.
He was eventually stretchered off after receiving treatment for a lengthy period and adds to a growing injury list for Ufuk Talay’s men which includes Alex Rufer, Gary Hooper and Jaushua Sotirio.
Talay was absent after contracting COVID-19 on his birthday with assistant Giancarlo Italiano filling the void, while bottom-placed Perth had interim boss Ruben Zadkovich in the dugout after the sacking of Richard Garcia last week.
“The win was fantastic for our boys, they showed a lot of guts,” said Italiano.
“My objective was to get Uffy three points for his birthday. I caught wind of this last night so I had all day to prepare.
“In terms of Clay, it’s very disappointing. He’s going to hospital for a scan.
“I’d be speculating but it’s a possible dislocation or fracture.
“It’s a significant blow because Clay has been so good for us all year.”
It was Wellington who began the brighter of the two sides and they got their breakthrough in the 36th minute when Waine volleyed past Liam Reddy.
Fitzgerald poked home in response in the 49th minute but any optimism for Glory was short lived when Malik fouled Waine four minutes later.
Waine looked to run onto a Finn Surman long ball when Malik collided with the Wellington forward and referee Kurt Ams produced the red card.
Wellington struggled to break Perth down but when a Sandoval corner was cleared in the 97th minute Pennington hammered it beyond Reddy to seal victory.
“It’s frustrating and it’s gutting for the boys,” said Zadkovich.
“The red card was a little bit deflating. Our first half was really flat and I think that’s a snapshot of where we are.
“I haven’t seen the replay (of the send-off) but I thought it was a clash of heels more than anything.”
RE-LIVE: WELLINGTON PHOENIX 2-1 PERTH GLORY, AS IT HAPPENED
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP
90+7: GOAL! Pennington at the death gives Nix all three points (2-1)
It’s late heartbreak for Perth as Nicholas Pennington bags a winner in the seventh minute of extra time.
A Sandoval corner made its way to Pennington at the back post, who took the ball down on the chest before burying a low strike into the bottom-left corner to win it for Wellington.
83′: Reddy at full stretch denies Fenton (1-1)
Reddy has single-handedly kept his side on level terms with a leaping, fingertip save to deny Louis Fenton from range.
The Phoenix full-back unleashed a strike off the left side of the 18-yard-box directed toward the top-right corner, but Reddy got across to poke the shot off the crossbar and out for a corner.
70′: Lewis stretchered off after lengthy delay (1-1)
An apparent ankle injury has led to the substitution of Wellington midfielder Clayton Lewis. Early signs suggest the injury is a serious one.
With Alex Rufer already out for the rest of the season, another long-term layoff for a key midfielder is the last thing Wellington need at this stage in the campaign.
52′: RED CARD – Malik dismissed for foul on Ben Waine (1-1)
Osama Malik has clipped the heels of Wellington striker Waine as the New Zealand international steamed in on goal, sending him to ground and leaving referee Kurt Ams no choice but to give Malik his marching orders.
49′: GOAL! Fitzgerald gets one back for Perth (1-1)
That was the start to the second half Perth were after!
Nick Fitzgerald gets his first goal in Glory colours, burying Adrian Sardinero’s cut-back from the byline into the bottom-left corner after Joshua Anasmo’s decisive play down the right flank opened up the opportunity for Perth to score.
The touchline celebrations between players and the coaching staff showed a united Glory squad are eager to give Zadkovich a positive result in his first game as interim boss.
HALF-TIME: WELLINGTON 1-0 PERTH
Ben Waine’s 37th-minute strike is the difference at the break – and it’s a deserved lead for the ‘Nix after dominating the majority of the first half.
37′: GOAL! Waine puts ‘Nix on top (1-0)
Back from international duty, and back amongst the goals in the Isuzu UTE A-League! It’s Ben Waine’s name on the scoresheet, linking up with Gael Sandoval to volley on the slide past Reddy into the back of the net.
24′: CHANCE! Ball calls Reddy into save (0-0)
The ‘Nix are doing all the attacking in the first half, but don’t have a goal to reward their effort.
David Ball’s shot from the edge of the box in the 24th minute threatened to break the deadlock, but Liam Reddy got down to smother the ball as it bounced by his feet.
11′: Zadkovich in charge of maiden ALM fixture
It’s all focus from the interim Glory head coach, with no goals scored through the opening 10 minutes of play.
1′: KICK-0FF (0-0)
We’re underway at Leichhardt Oval, with Ruben Zakdovich taking charge of Perth as interim head coach for the very first time.
