After a promising start to the season, the Wellington Phoenix have fallen to their second straight loss, going down 2-0 to Melbourne City.
Goals from Ritchie de Laet and Bruno Fornaroli secured the three points for City, who moved up to third on the table.
The Phoenix struggled to create any clear attacking opportunities, as they were held goalless for the third straight match.
Their best chance was stymied by referee Adam Fielding, who overturned his own free kick decision with use of the video assistant referee.
Mitch Nichols' shot on 66 minutes was originally given as handball against Scott Jamieson and might have seen a penalty awarded.
Instead, Fielding used the technology to correctly signal for a drop ball after replays showed the ball struck the City captain's hand at close range while he held it over his chest.
Rudan, who was yellow-carded in the aftermath of the incident, was incensed by the call.
"It changes the game, only for them to turn around and say it wasn't a handball. I don't know what to say," he said.
"You can't even talk to the officials, that's the other problem."
Rudan said the difference was "two quality strikes from outside the box from their marquees".
The Phoenix now sit in sixth place on the table and will next meet Adelaide United in Wellington in two weeks time.
Newshub.
