Wellington Phoenix had to settle for a hard-working 0-0 draw against the Brisbane Roar on a waterlogged Moreton Daily Stadium Pitch in Redcliffe.
The Phoenix came into the contest in fine form after picking up 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four matches and welcomed back star attacker Reno Piscopo from injury.
Wellington also had one of the form strikers in the competition in Ben Waine who was looking to become the first player in Phoenix history to score in five consecutive games.
He was reduced to more of a spectator role in the terrible conditions before being replaced at halftime.
The Kiwi club knew this was a critical fixture as the Roar sat directly above the Phoenix on the A-League table with one more point in seventh place but have played three fewer games.
Both sides struggled to adjust to the brutal conditions, which saw the ball stop in the pitch and make it tough for the Phoenix to play their free-flowing football.
The visitor's first opportunity didn't come until 10-minutes into the second half when midfielder Clayton Lewis fired a low shot from outside box forcing Brisbane goalkeeper Jamie young into a smart save.
The Phoenix continued to push for the opening goal with Ulises Davila, Reno Piscopo and David Ball all forcing strong saves out of Young, while Louis Fenton blazed a brilliant chance past the post.
Davila was at his scintillating best in the second half as he carved the Brisbane defence open at will, with his wonderful creativity but it wasn't to be as the Phoenix failed to score for the first time in five matches.
The home side - who have the best defence in the competition - had their moments pouring 20 shots on Olive Sail's goal but most were ineffective with only six on target and none forcing Sail into serious work.
Phoenix Coach Ufuk Talay wasn't impressed by the state of the pitch as it leveled the contest and brought Brisbane into the game.
"I don't think it was great conditions it was very sloppy and slushy when we walked out there, Talay says. "That's what I think with the field. Like I said, I think the field was terrible and I think that was a leveller for Brisbane.
"Tactically we changed a few things at halftime, not too much, but I think the boys adapted to the conditions in the second half a lot better and we created enough chances to actually win the game."
In concerning news for the Phoenix hardworking midfielder Cameron Devlin and fullback Fenton picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season, which will see them miss the next match against Adelaide United on Friday and force Talay into a reshuffle.
The Phoenix extend their unbeaten streak to five matches but the draw was a blow to their playoff hopes.
They remain in eighth place, a point behind Brisbane, who have three games in hand while Western united sit in sixth two points in front of Wellington having played two fewer games.
