Soccer: Lacklustre Phoenix stuck in rut of goalless draws

A-League goals are proving hard to come by for the Wellington Phoenix. Playing out their fourth straight draw in finishing 0-0 with visiting Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, Ricki Herbert's team have now finished five of their eight matches on even terms.

Yet, while failing to add to their only win of the season - 2-1 over Perth Glory - the Phoenix have remained in sight of the play-offs. With eight points they are in eighth place, but still only four points out of the play-offs.

With Gold Coast United beaten for the third time in their past five matches after a three-from-three start to their inaugural season, surprise packet Perth and Sydney FC share the lead with just 13 of a possible 24 points. But Gold Coast are on top with their superior goal difference.

After scoring 10 goals in that flying start, Gold Coast have not had the same success recently, their cause not helped by Shane Smeltz's absence from their 3-2 defeat to Melbourne Victory.

The Coast will be at home to the Phoenix on Friday. The Phoenix managed only nine attempts on goal (five on target) compared to the Central Coast's 16 (six). The most telling statistic was the possession comparison with the home side having only 25 per cent with the Mariners on 75 per cent.

On one stat, the Phoenix were right up there. The 6769-strong crowd at Westpac Stadium was more than turned up in Newcastle, on the Gold Coast and in Townsville and only 1000 down on the round's best turnout - the 7677 at Suncorp Stadium. A delighted crowd there watched Brisbane Roar beat Sydney FC with a neatly scored header from Sergio van Dijk five minutes from time in a game in which six players were booked.

Adelaide United needed two second-half goals - the second in stoppage time - to beat North Queensland Fury 2-0 in Townsville. The game sealed a minute into stoppage time when substitute Matthew Leckie scored.

Despite enjoying just 27 per cent possession, Perth Glory got up 1-0 away to the Newcastle Jets on the back of Mile Sterjovski's 82nd-minute penalty.

Melbourne Victory also needed a late (87th-minute) penalty from captain Kevin Muscat to edge past Gold Coast who led early but turned at 2-2.