The Wellington Phoenix's unbeaten run in their Wollongong-inspired red kit has come to an end, the side falling to Macarthur on Sunday afternoon.
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A 65th-minute Denis Genreau strike proved the difference, the Bulls prevailing 1-0.
The match was the second in a WIN Stadium double-header, the Wollongong Wolves taking on Macarthur feeder club Northbridge earlier in the day.
The match was Wellington's third in seven games, coach Ufuk Talay identifying fatigue as a factor in the loss.
"It was a very tight game," Talay said. "Both teams were very disciplined without the ball. I still think we created the better chances within the game.
"A defensive error led to the goal and we walk away with a 1-nil loss."
The first half was a relatively even affair, both teams having opportunities in front of goal.
It was the Phoenix who started on top, the hosts pushing forward and peppering Macarthur goalkeeper Adam Federici.
The Bulls slowly worked their way into the game, the side taking control throughout the final 15 minutes of the opening stanza.
Wellington held firm, the two sides heading to the sheds nil-all.
Macarthur emerged from the sheds eager to break the deadlock, Ivan Franjic coming close to doing so from a corner.
Eventually it was Genreau who found the back of the net in the 65th minute, a Phoenix defensive error providing the 21-year-old with an open shot at goal.
Wellington pushed for an equaliser throughout the final 25 minutes, coming close on a number of occasions, however Federici was able to maintain a clean sheet in his return to Wollongong.
"When you have someone with his experience, it gives confidence to the side," Macarthur coach Ante Milicic said of the keeper.
"That's probably the most we've been pinned back in a game. When you have somebody of his experience, as a coach you're sitting there knowing it's going to take something special to get past him.
"For him to be here in Wollongong today, it gave him that little something special, that little bit extra.
"All keepers enjoy clean sheets, so I'm very pleased for him that he had a great day in front of family and friends."
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
