Soccer: Phoenix hold on for narrow win

Marco Rojas of the Phoenix celebrates team mate Dylan Macallister's goal. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix zeroed in on the A-League soccer play-offs with a scrappy 1-0 win over Newcastle Jets today.

The win moves them into sixth place with 35 points, with games against Adelaide, Sydney and North Queensland remaining in the regular season.

The Jets had managed just two wins from their last seven matches, but started with real purpose today, pressuring the Phoenix in the midfield in a messy opening stanza.

Defender Adam D'Apuzzo, out for the last three weeks with an ankle injury, was back and the defence that had conceded seven goals in the last two games looked all the better for his return.

But it was the home team who opened the scoring in the 20th minute, Marco Rojas breaking clear and setting up Dylan Macallister with a well-timed cross which the striker finished with precision.

Rojas again dazzled as the first half drew to a close with another pacey run down the right, another pinpoint ball in to Macallister. This time, however, the gangly striker couldn't repeat his previous accuracy and Jets keeper Ben Kennedy was let off the hook.

Seconds later, All Whites striker Jeremy Brockie could have secured the equaliser. Recently returned from injury, Brockie had to work hard in the lone striker's role for much of the match, but his first-time strike as halftime loomed lacked the power to trouble Phoenix keeper Danny Vukovic.

Both teams began the second spell with a lift in intensity, chances coming at both ends in the opening five minutes.

Troy Hearfield missed a gilt-edged opportunity, when Rojas again served up a tantalising ball into the box which the Phoenix defender smashed into the side netting.

Minutes later, Jets striker Marko Jesic unleashed a speculative 30 metre thunderbolt which left Vukovic stranded on his line, watching flat-footed as it ricocheted off the woodwork.

The Jets then laid siege to the Phoenix goal, and Vukovic needed to be at his best in the 59th minute, at full stretch as he palmed clear an acrobatic Ryan Griffiths' overhead kick.

Downed 4-0 by the Phoenix last month, the Jets started the match in eighth place, one point behind the Phoenix, who trailed sixth-placed Melbourne Heart, also by one point.

A must-win match for both teams, feelings ran high as the second half progressed and referee Chris Beath's patience finally ran out in the 65th minute as he red-carded Griffiths after he talked back once too often.

The Phoenix also fell foul of Beath, picking up five yellow cards to the Jets' one, but kept their play-off hopes alive as they held on for the uigly win.

Wellington Phoenix 1 (Dylan Macallister) Newcastle Jets 0. Halftime: 1-0.

- NZPA