Wellington Phoenix have consolidated their top-six playoff contention with a 1-0 victory over Perth Glory at Sydney.
Mexican winger Gael Sandoval slotted a deflected shot from just inside the penalty area to break the scoreless deadlock after the halftime break and his side hung on to grab maximum points for their 10th win of the season.
The result puts fifth-placed Wellington four points clear of seventh-placed Macarthur FC and a point behind fourth-placed Adelaide with two games in hand.
Sandoval's fifth goal of the season also spoiled the 400th game of former Phoenix goalkeeper Liam Reddy, now between the sticks for Perth.
"The three points are massive for us moving forward to the back end of the season," said Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay after the team’s sixth match in 19 days. "We've played a lot of games back-to-back.
"It wasn't a complete performance, but I think it was a good enough performance to get the job done and get the three points. I think we've put ourselves in a great position going back to New Zealand.
"Having the fans there supporting the group, I think the boys that are injured will probably even put their hands up to play."
After struggling to adapt to the losses of captain Alex Rufer and key defender Clayton Lewis, and conceding 11 unanswered goals in big defeats to Melbourne City and Central Coast Mariners, the Phoenix have righted their campaign with successive wins.
They will now return to New Zealand for their first home game in more than 300 days, hosting Central Coast Mariners at Wellington on Easter Sunday, but defend Sam Sutton will remain in Sydney, after testing positive for COVID-19.
"It's gut-wrenching for Sutts to not be able to come back with the team, enjoy being back home and be able to play in front of our own fans," said Talay.
"He'll fly out on Thursday next week and come over straight to Auckland to join the group."
Wellington Phoenic 1 (Sandoval) Perth Glory 0
