The result saw Wellington stretch their unbeaten run at Westpac Stadium to 24 games, one clear of the previous record holders Sydney United, who went 23 consecutive National Soccer League matches without defeat at Sydney United Sports Centre from 1996-99.

For a while it looked as though John Aloisi's penalty and another first-half strike from Matt Thompson, both of which came after a Chris Greenacre's sixth minute opener for the home side, were going to be enough for the A-League newcomers to become the first team to win in the New Zealand capital since Brisbane Roar's 1-0 victory on October 26, 2008. But Bertos' long-range curling shot put paid to that.

Both teams made a lively start in the blustery conditions but it was Phoenix who took the lead when Manny Muscat provided the perfect through ball for Greenacre to calmly slot home.

Two minutes later Paul Ifill should have doubled the tally but blasted well over.

Heart, who welcomed back captain Simon Colosimo from injury and Dean Heffernan from suspension, drew level when Adrian Zahra won his side a penalty in the 13th minute and Aloisi stepped up and fired the ball underneath Mark Paston, who replaced Danny Vukovic in goal for the only change to the Phoenix starting line-up.

The game began to drift with neither side creating any real goal-scoring opportunities until the 34th minute when Bertos whipped in a ball from the left only for Ifill to head just wide.

Heart midfielder Matt Thompson made no mistake two minutes later however, and showed good strength and nimble footwork to beat Troy Hearfield and Sigmund - part of a new-look back three formation with Jade North and Andrew Durante - before drilling the ball into the far corner to put the visitors 2-1 up and the score remained that way to the break.

Herbert made two changes at half-time bringing on striker Mirjan Pavlovic and midfielder Vince Lia for Nicky Ward and defender Jade North with Muscat and Hearfield dropping back as they reverted to a more traditional back four formation.

But that did not stop Muscat getting forward to set up the home side's equaliser with a nice back heel to Bertos whose curling long-range shot totally deceived Clint Bolton in the Heart goal.