In a match that looked headed for a stalemate Maclaren, who started on the bench for a second straight week, was teed up by Brandon Borrello four minutes from time.

On balance it was perhaps a deserved result for the visitors, who generated six shots on target to two throughout an entertaining 90 minutes.

In a match that pitted fourth against fifth the first shot on goal came from an unlikely source with Roar right back Jack Hingert hitting the post with a left-footed effort.

The visitors followed that up with a long range strike from Tommy Oar, while Manuel Arana spurned a gilt-edged chance from the resulting corner.

Wellington worked their way into the match with Roy Krishna forcing a sharp save from Michael Theo, while Roly Bonevarcia channelled countryman Dennis Bergkamp as he tried to find a way through Brisbane’s defence.

Dimitri Petratos tested the gloves of Glen Moss on a couple of occasions with thumping long range strikes but in the end it was Maclaren who found himself in the right spot to fire home the winner.

GOALS

0-1 Brisbane Roar, Jamie Maclaren, 86’

A mistake at the back allowed Brandon Borrello to ghost in behind Wellington’s backline, squaring the ball for Jamie Maclaren who was able to stroke it into an empty net.

HIGHLIGHT

An exquisite flick and pirouette from Roly Bonevacia had the Dutchman through on goal in the opening half but he was unable to bring the ball under control at full stretch to finish the chance.

INJURY WARD

Phoenix midfielder Vince Lia succumbed to a leg injury early in the second half, while Corey Brown’s night came to an abrupt end when the Roar defender was upended by Jacob Tratt with a sliding tackle and wasn’t able to continue.