KEY POINTS:
Central Coast Mariners' dream start to the third A-League season is over.
Beaten for the first time, 2-1 away to Adelaide United, the Coasters also conceded their first goals of the season. They had Tony Vidmar, in his first game back from suspension, sent off.
He will miss
the top-of-the-table home game against Newcastle Jets on Sunday.
The Central Coast side were also denied a place in history.
They needed to last 25 minutes without conceding to better the record (474 minutes set in 1986 by Preston in the old NSL) for the longest start to a season without giving up a goal.
But they fell agonisingly short when Bruce Djite scored after 19 minutes.
Sasho Petrovski got the Hyundai League leaders back to 1-1 in the 37th minute but the killer blow came three minutes from time when Djite grabbed his second to the delight of the 11,019 fans in Adelaide, who savoured their team's first win of the season.
Although they attracted the smallest crowd of the round for the game against struggling Perth Glory, Wellington Phoenix bosses were understandably thrilled with the 10,127 who turned up in atrocious conditions and took the season tally, from just four games, beyond 50,000.
The Phoenix became the first team to reach double figures with their four goals.
They have scored one more than Adelaide and double the five managed by Newcastle, Sydney FC and this week's opponent Queensland Roar.
The Phoenix's Shane Smeltz took his tally to three - one behind golden boot leader Djite and equal with Petrovski.
Melbourne Victory snapped their stretch of drawn games with their first win of the season, beating Queensland 2-0 at Telstra Stadium in front of the biggest crowd of the round - 25,622.
A 68th-minute Kevin Muscat penalty followed by a late Archie Thompson goal earned Ernie Merrick's side their first win and third place - ahead of the Phoenix on goal difference.
Sydney FC scored their second win - a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Newcastle. Alex Brosque's 36th-minute effort separating the New South Wales rivals.
The referees were busy.
The four games produced a total of 22 yellow and two red cards.
Phoenix midfielder Daniel is out for the trip to Brisbane on Friday after picking up his fourth yellow card.
His absence could open the door for either Tim Brown or George Paladini, who both saw some action as substitutes on Sunday.
Coach Ricki Herbert, more than happy with his team's most impressive showing of the season, said both would be in contention.
He also hinted he might wait another week before unleashing signing Ahmed Elrich, preferring to give him a little more time to prepare.
In other games this week, Sydney play Melbourne in the game of the round and Perth entertain Adelaide.