Wellington Phoenix failed to take advantage of numbers for the third week in a row last night, and lost their A-League soccer match 1-2 to Adelaide United.
Lucas Pantelis gave Adelaide the winner in the 79th minute from one of their rare excursions into Phoenix box in thesecond half.
That they scored when they had only 10 players on the field and were often pinned in their own danger zone was as astonishing as their defence all night.
The Phoenix drew their previous two games against Sydney and Melbourne and were unable to capitalise when the opposition were a man short in both games.
Last night's victory in Wellington consolidated Adelaide's playoff place. With the 15th round to be completed, they are third with 22 points, a point behind second-placed Queensland.
The Phoenix' chances of a top-four place are fading fast. They are stuck in seventh place with 13 points.
It was a perfect occasion for the homeside to lift themselves, with a record crowd of 18,300 on a fine evening and the match against David Beckham's LA Galaxy beckoning.
But hashed it through over-eagerness and perhaps lack of leadership.
There was some hope when Milan Susak chopped down Vaughn Coveny, earning a sending off and penalty which Daniel slotted to tie the game in the 68th minute.
But even with a man down, Adelaide salvaged their game and scored the winner.
Veteran striker Paul Agostino gave Adelaide the lead in the ninth minute, tucking away a cross from the left where the Phoenix left a big hole for Pantelis and Nathan Burns.
Adelaide lined up a solid defence at the back where they often pulled men back quickly to crowd the danger zone, leaving little space for Phoenix's Shane Smeltz and Michael Ferrante.
In the 66th minute, Then Susak cut down Coveny on the right edge box earning a red-card and penalty which Daniel slotted.
With a man down, Adelaide absorbed more pressure and rarely got out of their own half.
