Wellington, Victory play out entertaining ALW draw

The Phoenix sit third on 13 points, with the Victory fourth on 11, behind the Glory and Melbourne City (16 points) after a spirited clash in windy conditions in Porirua on Sunday.

Victory skipper Kayla Morrison opened the scoring in the 15th minute, with Wellington's Kate Taylor responding two minutes later.

Emma Main put the Phoenix in front in the 24th minute before Kurea Okino equalised in the 37th.

Wellington had 11 shots (five on target) to Victory's 17 (nine on target), but Mariana Speckmaier should have scored the winner in the 85th minute when she was one-on-one with Lydia Williams, only to blast over the bar.

Phoenix goalkeeper Rylee Foster denied Victory winger McKenzie Wienert in the 91st minute to ensure points were shared.

Despite playing into the wind, the visitors started brighter and in the eighth minute, Rachel Lowe spurned a golden chance to take the lead when she headed Beattie Goad's wonderful cross over the bar.

The Victory broke through from a corner when Goad picked out Morrison with a wonderful ball and the defender scored with a superb looping header.

Wellington responded when Hope Breslin's high looping corner was met by Mariana Speckmaier at the back post, who headed the ball across goal for Taylor to nod home.

The away side were adamant the ball had gone behind for a goal kick before Speckmaier's header, but the goal stood.

The Phoenix took the lead seven minutes later when Kelly Brown cracked a thunderous strike off the post and Main followed up from close range to put Wellington in front.

Victory hit back when Elise Kellond-Knight slipped a wonderful ball into the path of Okino, who nipped it past Foster and coolly finished from a tight angle.

The second half proved far less dramatic until Speckmaier and Wienert's late spurned chances.

Australian Associated Press