A brace to Brendon Santalab (21', 65' ) and a goal to Nico Martinez (58') boosted the Wanderers' finals hopes as they surged up the table from 8th to 5th in New Plymouth.

Wellington's Shane Smeltz clawed one back from the penalty spot (71') bringing up his all-time A-League tally to 90, equal with retired Melbourne Victory legend Archie Thompson.

But it was only a consolation goal for the Kiwi outfit, who now slip to 8th on the league ladder.

A red card to Smeltz for a second bookable offence with 15 minutes left killed off any chance of a comeback as the Wanderers held on for a deserved victory. 

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic opted to start Santalab and the striker along with Martinez and new signing Terry Antonis gave the home side little respite.

The Wanderers started the brighter and took a deserved lead midway through the first half with Santalab firing home after neat buildup from Martinez.

Wellington settled into the contest as the game progressed and went close early in the second stanza with Smeltz forcing Vedran Janjetovic into a smart save on the turn.

But goals to Martinez and a second from Santalab in a seven-minute blitz all but sealed the result for the visitors.

In fact Santalab - who provided an assist for the third goal - should have had a hat-trick after he headed the ball in the back of the net on 13 minutes only to have the goal incorrectly ruled off side.

GOALS

0-1: Western Sydney Wanderers, Brendon Santalab, 22’

Playmaker Nico Martinez embarked on a surging run through the heart of the Phoenix defence before slipping Santalab in behind, with the striker firing home underneath the outstretched Glen Moss.

0-2: Western Sydney Wanderers: Nico Martinez, 58’

Terry Antonis pounced on a loose ball before playing a through ball for Santalab, with the 35-year-old expertly cutting the ball back for Martinez to slot from close range.

0-3: Western Sydney Wanderers: Brendon Santalab, 65’

Antonis was played into the area before shpwing great composure to pick  out Santalab in the area, with the veteran attacker blasting home through a crowd of bodies.  

1-3: Wellington Phoenix: Shane Smeltz, 71’

The hosts were awarded a penalty following a handball from Kearyn Baccus and Shane Smeltz made no mistake from the spot, sending Vedran Janjetovic the wrong way from 12 yards.

RED CARD

Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz was shown his marching orders with just under 15 minutes remaining after being shown a second yellow card for a foul on Jack Clisby.