The Wellington Phoenix as recorded an surprise away win at the Newcastle Jets to earn 3 points to keep its semi finals hopes still alive - they trail the Jets by 5 points with 3 games to go.
The Jets lined up with Scott Tunbridge replacing the suspended Joel Griffiths, Joel has scored 6 of the last 7 goals scored by the Jets, Stephen Laybutt replaced the suspended Andrew Durrante.
The Phoenix had creative midfielder Daniel missing through suspension.
The game commenced with a lazy Laybutt back pass that almost had Smeltz in on goal, but Covic was quickly of his line and cleared.
The Jets respond with Holland firing over the cross bar.
The game swings from end to end as Phoenix respond with a Lia cross which Covic punches clear and then Ahmad Elrich has strong claims for a penalty as he collides with Thomson and Laybutt.
On 15 minutes a beautiful Jets passing move ends with a 30 meter Tarek Elrich shot which is wide of the goal.
Phoenix go ahead in the 16th min through a Lia cross that finds Rees his pass has Coveny shot hitting the cross bar and Smeltz is first to react, 1-0 Wellington Phoenix.
On 20 mins a Tarek Elrich pass frees Denni, his 25 meter effort is just over the cross bar. Then a delightful Denni pass has Tunbridge free his cross is met by Holland in front of goal but he is unable to turn it in.
A Covic goal kick has the Wellington defence ball watching and Bridge skips in between Old and Moss, he is brought down and in a defining moment Moss is only given a yellow (not red) card, as Referee Delovski points to the spot. Bridge hits the spot kick sweetly into the corner in the 28th minute its 1-1.
Wellington respond immediately Coveny is fouled by Adam Griffiths on the edge of the penalty area but Felipe free kick is well wide.
Wellington are defending very deep and the Jets don't seem to have a good finisher to take the advantage. The Jets set up a gear and a Holland free kick finds Laybutt his powerful header is just over the cross bar. Thomson then beats his man and his low near post cross is cleared by Lochhead. Then Tunbridge's clever pass has Denni in on goal but Moss is well positioned and makes the save.
The first half ends with a Ahmad Elrich cross that finds Smeltz his header is saved by Covic.
The second half commences with a Denni long range effort just wide of the upright.
Wellington respond in brilliant fashion a Felipe corner finds Coveny who tees up Ferrante to blast home on 49 minutes, then two minutes later from a Ahmad Elrich corner sees Rees out jump Adam Griffiths to head home, its suddenly 3-1 Phoenix.
The home crowd is shocked into deadly silence, Holland disposes Old but his shot is deflected over the cross bar, and then Bridge has a low shot at the near post which moss saves well.
The Jets continue to try to pull a goal back and the home crowd is getting frustrated, on 72 mins Bridges beats two defenders and his beautiful through ball has Hoffman in the clear but his shot is wide. Then Bridge has a free kick which beats the wall but Moss saves.
Brown almost extended the Wellington lead but his angled shot is just wide.
The Jets finally pull one back, Bridge on 81 minutes crossed for Tunbridge who headed home, its Wellington 3-2.
The game ends in a grand finish, with the Jets pumping everything and everyone into the Phoenix penalty area and the crowd on the edge of their seats, but the Phoenix hold them out, it ends 3-2 to the visitors.