Victory over the Melbourne Heart on Saturday will guarantee Ricki Herbert's Wellington Phoenix their spot in the top six and place in the play-offs.

It wasn't the prettiest of performances but the Wellington Phoenix banked another valuable three points with a 2-0 win over Gold Coast United.

Some solid goalkeeping, a resolute rearguard and a wasteful opposition saw the Phoenix complete a smash-and-grab raid in Sydney tonight to claim a crucial 1-0 win.