Sunday's game was Phoenix's third game in eight days and Herbert was rapt his side dealt with it well to move into the top six.

"I can't speak highly enough of the players," Herbert said.

"I get sick and tired of hearing about the Australian teams and what they have to deal with, how much travel they have to do and the midweek games. We're the worst affected team."

"In my mind this was always going to be a difficult game having to back up from those two other games. But we got the result."

Newcastle coach Branko Culina bemoaned his side's luck.

"I was very proud of the players," Culina said. "To be honest with you we were very, very unlucky.

"Not only was the effort good but we created a number of chances and when we went down to 10 men we were actually the team that looked like wanting to win the game."

Eighth-placed Newcastle, who have lost their past three matches, have four games to play this season, beginning on Wednesday away to Melbourne Victory.

Sixth-placed Wellington, who have three games to play this campaign, are away to Adelaide United on Friday.