The Phoenix came into the clash with a new look, with new recruit Tando Velaphi in goal against his former team, All White Monty Patterson getting a home debut, and Singh earning his first start.
Singh's impact was the greatest, with his goal supplementing a promising display in the central midfield, while Velaphi put in a much more confident showing than his predecessors in the Phoenix goal.
In all truth, a Phoenix victory looked unlikely for most of the match, especially after Castro's equaliser. 1-1 at the break was probably a fair reflection of an even half, with Perth calmer in possession and looking to build structured attacks, while the Phoenix looked friskier, sending direct forays into the Perth area, and making the Glory defenders scramble to clear their lines.
That Phoenix innovation slowed after the break, with Perth ramping up the pressure and bossing possession in the Phoenix half. The hosts were sitting too deep, inviting Perth attacks, but they had their moments on the counter, with Roy Krishna – introduced at halftime – blazing over the bar, before Andrija Kaluderovic sidefooted wide from close range.
After gaining the ascendancy, Perth looked to have sealed a deserved victory in undeserved fashion, after being awarded a questionable penalty after Castro collided with Phoenix defender Scott Galloway.
Hilariously, Castro's attempted 'Panenka' penalty – a deft chip straight down the middle – didn't fool Velaphi, who stood static to make the easiest save of his career.
That looked like it had saved the Phoenix a point, but in the 91st minute, Krishna was released down the left, and Lowry turned the resulting cross into his own net to gift the hosts all three.
Phoenix 2 (Singh, own goal)
Glory 1 (Castro)
HT: 1-1
