An own goal to Marco Rossi (44') and a penalty for Bruno Fornaroli (71') saw City cement second spot on the ladder after Roy Krishna tucked away the equaliser (59').

More than 10,600 attended the match to see City notch up their fifth win of the season.

Tim Cahill and Bruce Kamau started on the bench while Nicolas Colazo made his return from an ear injury playing the final 15 minutes.

Dean Bouzanis also regained his position in goals after recovering from a rib injury in last week’s game against Western Sydney Wanderers.

City could have scored in the first minute as Ivan Franjic’s cross found Anthony Caceres in the box, but the final shot was wide.

At the 23rd minute former Melbourne Victory duo Gui Finkler and Kosta Barbarouses combined well as the Brazilian played in the Kiwi, who only had Bouzanis to beat but slipped over.

Just before the half hour mark, Glen Moss pulled off a brilliant save to deny Bruno Fornaroli after Luke Brattan’s through ball.

The Kiwi international repelled wave after wave of attack but could do nothing on the brink of half-time when Nick Fitzgerald’s curling shot took a wicked deflection off Rossi and looped over the goalkeeper for the opener.

Six minutes into the second half Finkler almost equalised after his strike forced Bouzanis to tip it wide for a corner.

Just before hour mark Barbarouses’ went down in the box after his shirt was held by Franjic and Krishna stepped up to the spot. Bouzanis made the save but batted the ball back in the path of the Fijian for the equaliser.

City regained the lead 10 minutes later as Fornaroli was adjudged to have been held by Rossi.Replays seemed to suggest both players were guilty of holding.

The Uruguayan took the shot, electing to drive it low to Moss’ left, the goalkeeper judging the right way but unable to make the save.

With a minute remaining Hamish Watson’s low cross evaded everyone including last man Andrew Durante who just missed the ball in front of goal.

City managed to hang on for all three points but the visitors will feel aggreived at the number of cards dished out.

Wellington received six yellows, City three in the late stages of the match, despite Phoenix playmaker Gui Finkler being cut down at least eight times.

Serial offender for City, Fernando Brandan, will be public enemy number one among Nix fans. The Argentine forward winked at the Wellington bench just moments after Jacob Tratt was yellow carded for a soft foul on him.

City look forward to two matched next week -  the FFA Cup final on Wednesday night against Sydney FC and a clash against Brisbane Roar on Saturday.

Meanwhile Wellington, who sit in 9th spot with a game in hand, play a bottom of the table clash against Adelaide United.