Ryan Strain was terrific for Adelaide United - by far their best player all game. But a good football match showed its ugly side through a moment of complete madness when Mandi Sosa kicked Vince Lia when he was down over the ball. 

VAR check and the Spaniard was sent off.

The Reds pressed in wave after wave to find the winning goal, but credit to Mark Rudan's players, they dug their heels in and defended with their lives.

The match finished goalless and both take a point from an action pack game.

ADELAIDE UNITED

Paul Izzo – 7

Did not really have much to do in the first-half. Not tested by the Nix attacking trio. Great save in the second half, made himself big from David Williams' shot. After the Nix red card, was quiet in the second-half.

Scott Galloway – 7

Solid as usual in defence, tracking back well, working hard to get forward, getting space for himself.

Michael Jakobsen – 7

Going about his business in defence. Solid and composed, working hard alongside Elsey.

Jordan Elsey – 7

Back after suspension and looked comfortable in central defence. Powerful header but straight at the keeper in the second-half.

Ryan Strain – 8

Working hard to get forward, good pace and determination. Causing a lot of problems for Wellington down the right-hand side in both halves, giving the Reds good width.

Craig Goodwin – 7

Looking lively in the midfield early on, good penetrating runs into the final third. Needs to pass the ball quicker. Not an outstanding performance but appeared lively.

Isaias Sanchez – 6

Three times he gave the ball away in midfield. No real presence or impact throughout the match.

Vince Lia – 7

Poor effort on goal early on, should have done better. Decent header late on. Put himself about working hard in the midfield. Took one for the team via Mandi Sosa's foot. Subbed on the 82nd minute.

Ryan Kitto – 6.5

Good penetrating runs into the final third, worked hard but average crosses into the box and wild shots at goal. Got into good positions to create opportunities but his distribution let him down.

Ken Ilso – 7

Working tirelessly up front, alongside Halloran and Kitto. Subbed on 60 minutes.

Ben Halloran – 7

Snap shot at goal, working well with Ryan Strain on the right-hand side. Had a decent game.

SUBS 

George Blackwood – 6

Two attempts showed he still needs match fitness and more composure in front of goal. Had another chance to get the winner but will look the goods when match fit.

Nikola Mileusnic – 6

On for Ken Ilso. First action with a nice strike, tried to create openings.

WELLINGTON PHOENIX

Filip Kurto – 7.5

Good save late in the first-half denying Vince Lia's header. Didn’t know too much about Jordan Elsey's header, just went straight into his arms. Good concentration throughout the game, commanding his area.

Tom Doyle – 7.5

Couple of sloppy challenges. Good, solid defensive work especially in the second-half, alongside Andrew Durante and Steven Taylor.

Andrew Durante – 7.5

Composed and solid in defence, always in the right position to clear his lines. Had his work cut out due to the red card, but showed his professionalism.

Steven Taylor – 7.5

Good defensive display throughout the 90 minutes, worked so well with his other two defenders when under the pump for most of the second-half

Liberato Cacace – 6.5

Struggling against Ryan Strain's pace early on. Kept quiet due to Adelaide’s pressing game and general dominance.

Mandi Sosa – 4

Poor tackles and distribution. Showed signs of what he can do late on in the first-half, taking control in the midfield and making strong runs into the final third, still, only once.

Dangerous and violent action in kicking Lia. Red card on the 68th minute.

Alex Rufer – 7

Kept busy in the first-half. Strong tackle on Ryan Kitto in the second-half. Learned how to defend in the second-half.

Louis Fenton – 7

Relatively quiet early on. Nice cross. Working hard up and down right-hand side. Showed good defensive duties in the second-half.

Sarpreet Singh – 7

Good turn and pace in midfield. Showed glimpses of his brilliance but just looked a bit off the pace. Subbed on the 90th minute.

David Williams – 7

Kept quiet in the first-half but showed good control of the ball. Tried to switch the play when he could. Decent effort in the second-half, but subbed on the 68th minute.

Roy Krishna – 7

Held the ball up well with good control. Another of the front three that displayed their footballing abilities but had a mixed performance before being subbed.

SUBS

Ryan Lowry - N/A

Not on long enough to rate

Michal Kopczynski- 6

Defended well, did his job when call upon.

Max Burgess – N/A

Not on long enough to rate