After the Mariners threatened to cut through the Phoenix defence in the opening exchanges, the bottom-placed visitors went on to dominate the first half, creating several good scoring chances.
Mariners keeper Josh Kennedy — named man of the match at fulltime — made four first-half saves, while Matthew Ridenton put the best chance of the match over the crossbar from six yards out after half an hour.
The shot count at the break — 11-2 in favour of the Phoenix — summed up how well the visitors played.
Roy Krishna, in his return from four weeks out with injury, was at the heart of much that was good for the Phoenix.
With Krishna back and 2014-15 top scorer Nathan Burns returning to the team, Phoenix fans will be hoping for more of a cutting edge in the final third this year.
Wellington struggled to replicate their first-half efforts after the break, and the Mariners created the best chances of the second spell.
The recalled Andrew Durante was part of a sound defensive effort for the Phoenix, a week after a humbling 4-1 demolition by leaders Sydney, who hammered Perth 6-0 on Saturday night. In the end, a draw tonight was probably the fairest result.
The Phoenix will be glad to farewell 2017, having won just once in 12 games this season, and lost high-profile players who underperformed and/or fell out with the club.
Tonight's performance hinted that better times are hopefully not far off for the beleaguered club.
Wellington's next match is at home to third-placed Melbourne City on Saturday night.
After starting the season with four straight victories, City, who play at Western Sydney Wanderers tonight, have won just two of their last eight games.
