Scores were locked at 1-1 until three goals in the final 22 minutes from Wanderers, with Brendan Hamill hitting a double and Chris Ikonomidis capping off the win in injury-time.

The result leaves Wellington well adrift in bottom spot with five games to play, after a tough week where coach Darije Kalezic departed the club.

“I thought they were the better side," Greenacre said.

":Western Sydney played some terrific football at times.

“Our first half game plan worked quite well. I thought the players showed a lot of character to get back into the game.

"In the first 10 minutes (of the second half) we were well in it. I think it shows it’s a group who are lacking confidence."

Greenacre added that is has been a tough week for the Phoenix squad following Kalezic's exit.

“It’s been a tough week for the guys obviously with the old coach leaving," he said.

"The nail in the coffin was the third one and especially from the set play.”

Wellington are next in action on Saturday against Newcastle Jets.