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Australian A-League

Apr 17, 2015 at 8.30am UK

Wellington Wellington Phoenix
3-2
Central Coast Central Coast Mariners

Bonevacia (65'), Cunningham (79', 95')

FT(HT: 0-2)

Fitzgerald (11'), Bosnar (35')

Match Report

Football

Wellington Phoenix seal winner in added time against Central Coast Mariners

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 17 April 2015

Wellington Phoenix come from behind to snatch a late 3-2 win over Central Coast Mariners and move to second in the A-League ladder.

Wellington Phoenix have moved to second in the A-League ladder with a 94th-minute winner by Kenny Cunningham against Central Coast Mariners.

Phoenix's Premier's Plate hopes appeared to be dented after going 2-0 down, but they were able to fight back to claim all three points at Westpac Stadium.

Kenny Cunningham of the Phoenix celebrates his goal with teammate Ben Sigmund during the round 26 A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and the Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium on April 17, 2015 © Getty Images

The Phoenix had an early chance to get on the scoresheet when they were awarded a free kick close to the edge of the box.

Roly Bonevacia lined up to take it and managed to get his effort over the wall, but the ball fell into the hands of the goalkeeper.

The home side continued on the attack with a storming run from Roy Krishna down the left, but his cross over to the near post was cut out by goalkeeper Liam Reddy.

The crowd were silenced minutes later when, against the run of play, Nicholas Fitzgerald slotted the ball into the back of the net for the Mariners after going one on one with keeper Glen Moss.

Eddy Bosnar of the Mariners is congratulated on his goal by teammates during the round 26 A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and the Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium on April 17, 2015 © Getty Images

Phoenix were deflated after the goal went in and it showed in their play as they struggled to respond to conceding.

The Mariners were able to stretch their lead to two with around 10 minutes left to play in the first half as Eddy Bosnar struck with a swinging free kick that flew past Moss.

The home side ended the half strongly with a flurry of chances, but they had nothing to show for the first 45 minutes.

After the break, Phoenix came out firing as they tried to get themselves back into the game, and they eventually did when Bonevacia found space in the area to slide the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

Despite getting on the scoresheet, the home side's momentum slipped away and they struggled to make any significant chances until substitute Cunningham got on the ball in the final third.

The forward received a short pass from Bonevacia in the penalty area and stabbed the ball past the keeper to give the team a chance of finding the winner with around 10 minutes left to play.

The home side continued to attack in a desperate bid to find that crucial goal, and in the fourth minute of added time, Cunningham struck to keep his side's title hopes alive.