In truth, a draw did little to enhance the finals' prospects of either club but at one stage Phoenix had looked doomed to yet another another A-League defeat against their hosts.

Adrian Caceres, with a bit of help from Adelaide keeper Eugene Galekovic, rescued a share of the spoils and Herbert was happy enough.

He admitted that it had hardly been a 'classic' encounter.

"I thought it was a bit of a scrappy affair," Herbert told the media after the game.

"But we came here really buoyant and confident and over the 90 minutes I thought we were worth the point at least."

The draw leaves Wellington in eighth spot on the ladder, just a point outside the six but having played a game more than their rivals.

Wellington are back in action again on New Year's Eve when they travel to face Central Coast Mariners.