Soccer: All White's goal extends Phoenix woes

Patricio Perez of the Mariners is challenged by Emmanuel Muscat of the Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images

The Wellington Phoenix squandered an opportunity to push into the A-League soccer playoff frame, losing 1-0 to the Central Coast Mariners today to add another grim footnote to their well-documented failings across the Tasman.

Buoyed by a 2-0 win over last season's runners-up Melbourne Victory in the capital on Wednesday, the exertions of that success was evident as they were outplayed by the third-placed Mariners at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium.

With six games remaining, the Phoenix are one spot and a point outside the top six as a wretched road record continues to undermine their post-season ambitions -- the win at Perth in November is their only triumph from 12 trans-Tasman excursions.

With a daunting visit to runaway competition leaders Brisbane looming next Sunday the Wellington club have collected just five of a possible 36 points outside their fortress at Westpac Stadium.

Captain Andrew Durante again cut a forlorn figure on Australian soil after the final whistle.

"We've struggled on the road all year. We started off really well but we didn't take our chances," he said.

"They took their chance and we were chasing the game after that. It just wasn't out night."

Durante remained confident the Phoenix could figure in the title race.

"We deserve to be there, we've been playing well over the past month. We're confident within ourselves," he said.

Like Durante, Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert also lamented the inability to convert early chances -- but was also upbeat about the club's prospects of making the finals series for a second time.

"If we can control the one's (games) at home, hopefully at some stage we might control the ones away."

Although former All White Michael McGlinchey was the solitary scorer during an entertaining clash, his 41st minute strike after the Phoenix midfield neglected to track his run, the Mariners could easily have inflated their winning margin with superior finishing, particularly early in the second half.

The Phoenix threatened from the outset and with an ounce of luck could have been two goals up inside three minutes.

A stretching Dylan MacAllister toe poke after Tony Lochhead unlocked a sleepy Mariners defensive system in the opening minute forced a sharp reaction save from teenage goalkeeper Mathew Ryan -- the best best stop of his 10th clean sheet of the season.

Ben Sigmund then directed a free header from the resulting corner wide to round out a frustrated Phoenix side's fleeting period of dominance.

Rising star Marco Rojas encapsulated the visitor's woes -- a stand out performer in recent weeks, the 19-year-old midfielder was subbed in the 53rd minute for Daniel after being well contained.

There was an element of controversy involving the livewire attacker in the 25th minute when the Phoenix were denied a penalty by referee Matthew Breeze after Rojas had his shirt tugged by veteran Dutch central defender Patrick Zwaanswijk inside the box before he tumbled to the ground.

Rojas had caused his marker Joshua Rose some anxious moments but the Mariners defender atoned for the occasional lapse when he supplied the pinpoint cross for McGlinchey whose thudding drive could only be deflected into the net by Danny Vukovic.

McGlinchey's opening goal of the season -- after playing each minute of 21 previously scoreless exercises -- also enabled the Mariners to equal Adelaide United's record of scoring in 15 consecutive home games.

The Mariners had peppered Vukovic with 13 shots by the break -- the Phoenix recorded just four -- and continued their assault albeit without reward.

Zwaanswijk headed on to the bar in the 51st minute, Rose shot wide soon after while probing Argentinian midfielder Patricio Perez was also guilty of blazing over the crossbar.

Although suffering in the humidity, the Phoenix attempted to rally in the final 15 minutes, forcing four free kicks from encouraging positions.

MacAllister made the most telling connection but 18-year-old Ryan was equal to the task, parrying the shot clear before Vince Lia swept the rebound over the bar.

-NZPA