A first-half finish from Anthony Caceres proved the difference between the two sides, as City held firm following the sending off of Thomas Sorensen with 30 minutes remaining.

City laid siege to Wellington’s goal in the first-half, with Glen Moss making a superb clutch save to repel a Bruno Fornaroli header from close range but were not made to pay for their profligacy.

Phoenix striker Roy Krishna came closest to squaring the ledger when he was played through on goal late on but City’s replacement keeper Dean Bouzanis repelled the danger as the home side were unable to make their numerical advantage count.

GOALS

City: Anthony Caceres, 31’

The midfielder motored onto a cross from Bruce Kamau, dribbling his way around the advancing Moss with a sublime piece of skill before firing into an open net.

RED CARD

Thomas Sorensen, 58’

A poor back pass from Josh Rose was intercepted by Krishna, who tried to evade City’s onrushing goalkeeper. The Phoenix striker threaded the ball through Sorensen who was judged to have handled the ball from outside the box in attempting to avert the danger and given his marching orders.

HOT STAT

City defied their travel woes from last season, notching just their second win from their last nine matches on the road.

ATTENDANCE

10,034