Mark Rudan will be disappointed his in-form Wellington side were unable to hold onto their 3-1 halftime lead, but a spirited fightback from Victory – backed by a vociferous home crowd – meant the draw was probably a fair reflection of the game.

Victory were ahead after just five minutes, with Ola Toivonen’s delicate chip coming way against the run of play. The lead lasted just two minutes, with Louis Fenton crossing for David Williams to restore parity.

Victory simply couldn’t deal with the Wellington high press and were exposed by Josh Hope’s turnover in his own box on the 20 minute mark.

The young midfielder tried to make amends, but his clumsy attempt to win the ball back tripped up Roy Krishna, and referee Jared Gillet pointed to the spot without hesitation. Krishna himself stepped up to smash the ball into the back of the net from 11m.

Phoenix sent their healthy away support into delirium eight minutes later, as another promising counter attack opened up the long range shot for Williams. Lawrence Thomas only succeeded in parrying it straight to the danger man Krishna, who struck home the loose ball for his second and Wellington’s third.

Muscat brought off the rattled Hope for Raul Baena at halftime, and the change had an immediate impact. A wonderful move involving Baena, Kosta Barbarouses, Toivonen, and finally James Troisi saw Victory pull a goal back in the 56th minute.

The thoroughly underwhelming Corey Brown was also substituted, with winger Elvis Kamsoba brought on to chase the game.

However, it was the extra blue shirt provided by deputy left back Terry Antonis which led to the equaliser – Antonis’ cross not cleared by the Nix backline, and Kosta Barbarouses firing into the bottom corner to set up a grandstand finish.

The winner would not come for either side, but Muscat’s men will be happy enough to settle for a point after they were so humbled in the first 45 minutes.

Melbourne Victory

Lawrence Thomas – 6.5
Could have done more to push Williams’ long range strike wider and away from the danger area – an error that Krishna punished ruthlessly. Otherwise could not be faulted for any of the goals.

Storm Roux – 5.5
A nervy start from the Kiwi as he gave away an unnecessary corner, which set the tone early for a hesitant performance. Should have done more to challenge Krishna for the rebound off Thomas. Better in the second half but was still beaten in one on one situations and needs to improve defensively.

Thomas Deng – 8
Played Fenton onside in the build-up to Wellington’s equaliser, and was unsure in the first half with Krishna and Singh dribbling at him. Imperious in the second, winning several crucial duels, denying Sheridan with a goal-saving challenge, and distributing the ball well as Victory chased the game.

Leigh Broxham – 7
Again deputising as a centre back, Broxham did well to hold up counter attacks, and won more headers than he had a right to. Kevin Muscat must wish he had two or three Broxhams to choose from, given Victory’s current injury issues.

Corey Brown – 3
Caught square by the run of Fenton in the lead-up to Wellington’s equaliser. A very poor performance characterised by inaccurate passing, unconvincing challenges and errant positioning. His flank was repeatedly targeted by Phoenix, and he proved a clear weak point in the lineup. Toivonen alerted the Victory bench in the first half that Brown was not at full fitness, but the change did not come until well into the second.

Carl Valeri - 6
Struggled to keep up with the pacy Wellington attackers, particularly Singh. Looked much more settled in the second half with Baena alongside him. Could have won the game with the last kick of the match but splayed his shot wide.

Josh Hope – 4
Disastrous giveaway and subsequent careless challenge to concede a penalty, showing up his inexperience at this level. Confidence clearly took a hit thereafter as he miscontrolled a few passes, and shot tamely at Kurto when presented with the chance to redeem himself. Substituted for Baena at halftime.

Terry Antonis – 7.5
Provided the key pass – a beautifully-weighted left footed through ball – for Barbarouses to tee up Toivonen and open the scoring. Consistently positive in his use of the ball, even when his side were struggling. Deputised at left back late in the game, and it was his cross that led to the Barbarouses equaliser.

James Troisi – 8.5
Quiet to begin with and disappointing from set pieces, but slowly grew into the contest. Found Barbarouses with a delightful cross field ball just before halftime, but the Kiwi was denied by Kurto. Took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half, getting on the ball, driving forwards and dictating play. Played a lovely one-two with Toivonen and finished cooly to bring it back to 3-2, and was Victory’s constant attacking threat.

Kosta Barbarouses – 7
Teed up Toivonen for the opening goal, but struggled thereafter. Relieved to see the flag go up on his strike partner after he blazed over from six yards. Perhaps should have done more with a magnificent Troisi pass, but Kurto did make a great save. Energetic and made a nuisance of himself in the second half. Delicate one-touch layoff in the build-up for Troisi’s goal, and popped up himself in the 88th minute to equalise after Fox’s poor clearance.

Ola Toivonen – 7.5
Opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a delicate lob over the onrushing Kurto. Seemed bullied by Steven Taylor for much of the first half, and got himself booked after an elaborate attempt to con the referee. Assisted Troisi’s goal in the second half before being replaced by Athiu.

Subs:
Raul Baena – 8
A major difference-maker after his halftime introduction. Was able to hold the ball well and play through pressure, something Victory were lacking before the break. Won plenty of tackles as well, and his passing frequently pierced the first or second Phoenix lines.

Elvis Kamsoba – 6.5
Provided bags of pace and even a few stepovers in his cameo, but didn’t back himself to shoot from the angle when the opportunity arose. Another learning experience for the talented NPL product.

Kenny Athiu – N/A
Not given enough time for a rating.

Wellington Phoenix

Filip Kurto – 7
Excellent stop from Barbarouses to preserve the two-goal lead late in the first half. Couldn’t do much about any of the goals.

Louis Fenton – 7.5
Precise low cross to tee up Williams for the equaliser. Absolutely torched Victory down the right flank with his pace and energy. Replaced late in the game for some fresher legs.

Steven Taylor – 6.5
Physical treatment of Toivonen seemed to get in the Swede’s head in the first half. Not entirely on the same page as his teammates when Troisi scored – he seemed to be holding a completely different line.

Andrew Durante – 7
Typically tenatious and responsible display from the captain, as his side were under tremendous pressure in the second half. The outstanding member of the back three in a game where there was wasn’t too much defending to speak of.

Tom Doyle – 6
Caught out repeatedly by the runs of Barbarouses in particular. A late foul after he was turned by Athiu seemed to sum up his day, as most of the Victory inroads came down his side, and he frequently overcommitted himself.

Liberato Cacace – 7
Another adventurous performance from the precocious wing back, complete with an audacious nutmeg in the second half. Exploited Victory’s lack of width in the first half, although he was forced deeper in the second.

Alex Rufer – 7
Very good in the first half, getting on the ball and playing forwards quickly when the frequent counter attacking opportunities presented themselves. His influence waned in the second as his side sunk deeper and deeper.

Mandi Sosa – 7.5
Played as if he had a debt to repay to the team following his red card against Adelaide. Calm on the ball and combative off it. Some glorious gamesmanship on display when he and fellow Spaniard Baena clashed late in the match, and both went down simultaneously with apparent injury.

Sarpreet Singh – 8
Slide-rule pass for Fenton in the build-up to Williams’s goal. In Rudan’s system, his role is probably to most demanding – pressing high up the park and dropping back to provide an extra number in midfield when the opposition plays through the first line of pressure, all while being the side’s creative fulcrum. The Kiwi wonderkid is delivering on all fronts, and his fleet-footed performance tonight was a joy to behold.

Roy Krishna – 8
Used all of his experience and wiles to win a penalty from Hope, and stepped up himself to slam it straight down the middle of the goal. Was first to a Thomas parry shortly thereafter, doubling his tally and equalling Esala Masi as the highest scoring Fijian in the Australian top flight.

David Williams – 7.5
Right place at the right time to tuck home the equaliser after an excellent low cross from Fenton. Tested Thomas from long range before Krishna mopped up the rebound. Replaced on the hour mark after picking up a knock, and the Victory defence was glad to see the back of him.

Subs:
Cillian Sheridan – 6.5
Physical presence and a focal point upfront, when most of the action was down the other end. Nearly through on goal but for a superb tackle from Deng. Victory seemed a little more comfortable dealing with him than Williams, the man he replaced.

Dylan Fox – N/A
Not given enough time to receive a rating, but did make an error for Barbarouses’s goal.

Michal Kopczynski – N/A
Came on late as Rudan tried to cling onto the lead. Unfortunately, Victory were level just two minutes later.