Adelaide United vs Wellington Phoenix

Phoenix midfielders Tim Brown and Dani Sanchez scored as the New Zealand side tightened its grip on second spot.

Wellington all but killed off any hope of a late finals charge from ninth-placed Adelaide, which now hasn't won in six games.

Adelaide snatched the lead at Hindmarsh Stadium through Bruce Djite's ninth-minute goal - but it held the advantage for just four minutes.

Djite swooped when team-mate Dario Vidosic was dispossessed near the penalty spot after collecting a shrewd Sergio van Dijk throughball.

As Vidosic momentarily lost the ball when sandwiched between Phoenix defenders, Djite pounced and slotted a left-footer into the net.

The 8,425-strong home crowd's joy was short-lived as Wellington hit back in the 13th minute through Brown.

The Phoenix midfielder was targeted by an accurate Paul Ifill cross and, with his first touch, struck past despairing Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.

Wellington went ahead in the 37th minute when Chris Greenacre found Sanchez, who slipped behind lax Adelaide defence.

The Spanish import was unattended on the penalty spot and made no mistake with a slick header as Reds defenders unsuccessfully appealed for offside.

Wellington protected the 2-1 lead for much of the second half, its defence stifling any meaningful Adelaide forward sorties.

And Ifill, who produced another eye-catching display, twice almost put the result beyond any doubt.

Ifill launched two searing long-range shots, one with the left foot and the other a 25-metre right-footer which cannoned into the crossbar.

And he should have been awarded a penalty in the 85th minute when brought down when closing in on goal, but referee Gerard Parsons capped his confusing night by waving play on.