In one of the season's most entertaining clashes, Wellington were under the cosh early as they conceded goals to Perth's Mile Sterjovski and Robbie Fowler in the fifth and 61st minutes.

But the New Zealand side roared back into contention when Ben Sigmund rose high to nod in Paul Ifill's 72nd-minute corner, although a series of late forward raids couldn't break down the Perth defence for a second time.

"We probably had a lot more of the ball today than we've ever had in Perth," said Herbert. "And we had some chances, but we coughed up a couple of silly mistakes and were not tight enough in a couple of areas.

"But I thought possession wise, we were kind of better on the road than probably what we have been for a wee while.

"You're finding with most of the sides so far this year, that it's never easy to win on the road, so we're going to have to do something a little different - there's a long way to go."

Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante believed a draw would have been a fairer result.

"I thought we had them on the back foot for quite a while," Durante said. "There was a goal chance cleared off the line,

"I think they were a little bit rattled, but we can't come away and let goals go in like that and chase the game.

"To cop one early is difficult, but we came home strong and credit to the boys we didn't give up, we fought to the end and were a little bit unlucky not to maybe pinch a 2-2 draw."

Playing the struggling Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium next weekend, Herbert said the club would probably do something to raise relief funds for people affected by the Christchurch earthquake on Saturday.

"I'm sure there will be something (fundraising activities) next weekend," said Herbert. "That's a sad thing isn't it for them ... I think it's kind of something you never expect in your country. 

"Unfortunately we haven't had the opportunity to kind of get that, I guess global concept of how bad it is being away. No doubt we'll sense that when we get back."