Roar failed to build on Sergio van Dijk's early goal and Wellington's second half pressure finally paid off when Greenacre headed home with just over five minutes remaining.

To make matters worse for the home side Tommy Oar was sent off for picking up two yellow cards with coach Farina also told to watch the remainder of the game from the stands after protesting to the officials.

Van Dijk's clinical finish in the 10th minute saw him draw level with Reinaldo as the Roar's all-time leading goal scorer - a fair effort considering the Dutchman only joined the club last year.

But it counted for little in the end, the visitors pressed in the second half and after a blitzkrieg of chances, finally struck in the 85th minute when Greenacre nodded home a curling cross from Daniel.

The drama-packed contest continued to bubble, with Tommy Oar sent from the ground by referee Chris Beath in the 88th minute after collecting two yellow cards in the space of two minutes.

Roar coach Frank Farina objected to the decision and was then given his own marching orders by Beath and watched the final minutes from the change rooms.

Mitch Nichols and Robbie Kruse also earned cautions from Beath in the dying stages, making it a total of eight yellow cards for the match.

Van Dijk's 15th A-League goal was created on the back of some brilliant play from Brazilian flyer Henrique, whose blistering pace set Suncorp Stadium alight.

Henrique sprinted past Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante, galloped into the box and pinpointed his pass to the feet of van Dijk - who fired calmly past Wellington keeper Mark Paston.

The 24-year-old further tormented the visitors and almost had a goal of his own in the 43rd minute when he swiftly found a paddock of space in front of New Zealand international Tony Lochhead, but failed to beat Paston.

The match was one of two very different halves - the Roar had a mortgage on possession in the first stanza, created countless genuine opportunities and Roar custodian Liam Reddy was rarely called into action.

Phoneix coach Ricki Herbert must have had some choice words with his men at the break because they looked a completely different side in the second half.

Michael Ferrante was given a golden opportunity to level the scores in the 48th minute when he was given space in the box, but fired wildly over the top of the crossbar.

The chances continued to flow thick and fast.

Reddy was able to negotiate strong headers from Vince Lia and Greenacre before some poor defending from the Roar - when midfielder Matt McKay was left as the last man - saw the Englishman level the scores.

Dogged Roar midfielder Danny Tiatto carried a hamstring injury into the game and was involved in a painful collision with van Dijk late in the first half, but managed to play until the 81st minute.

The game was played in front of a disappointing crowd of just 7,084 - the lowest ever at Suncorp Stadium and a staggering figure considering the fine weather in Brisbane on Sunday.