Discarded by the side in the off-season, former Young Socceroos captain Vince Lia proved to be Melbourne’s nemesis, blasting home his first career A-League goal to earn a valuable away point in front of 20,938 fans.

And to compound the situation, Melbourne will be missing captain Kevin Muscat next week after the feisty midfielder was sent off mid-way through the first half when he launched a brutal tackle on Tim Brown.

Muscat’s dismissal played a major role in deciding the final result, as Melbourne were in complete control of the contest and seemingly on the verge of recording a routine win prior to that point.

Archie Thompson created the first chance inside two minutes after he burst down the left flank before cutting inside to Adrian Caceres who blazed high from inside the penalty box.

Moments later, Thompson was at it again, racing into the area before a last ditch tackle from Kristian Rees thwarted his efforts.

Placing the Wellington goal under sustained pressure, Melbourne looked in ominous form, almost taking the lead through a swiftly taken Kevin Muscat free kick, which flew inches wide.

Despite its talented array of attacking stars, Wellington lacked the vision and ability to threaten the Melbourne goal, with Daniel blasted harmlessly over the crossbar in one of their few forays into the opposition half in the 21st minute.

Promoted to the starting line-up after impressing during his stints off the bench, Caceres was menacing on the left flank, using his pace and slight of foot to embark on a number of incisive runs behind the Wellington defence.

And in the 29th minute, he conjured a opening for his side, weaving down the wing before playing a cross towards Thompson, who was unable to connect with the ball, glancing his headed attempt wide.

Caceres was again involved in another forward thrust moments later, cheekily flicking the ball into the path of an oncoming Carlos Hernandez, who steadied before firing low into Glen Moss.

Wellington seemed a shadow of the side that battled so tirelessly against Sydney the week previous, struggling to maintain possession in the centre of the park as key stars Daniel and Felipe failed to assert any influence.

However, Phoenix were soon handed a numerical advantage when Muscat was sent off for a brutal, studs up challenge on Brown, placing Melbourne on the back foot for the remainder of the match.

But the setback didn’t alter Victory’s attacking mentality and the side soon surged ahead through Allsopp in the 39th minute.

Controlling a Matthew Kemp long ball, Thompson cut inside and unleashed a shot, only for it to deflect rather fortuitously into the path of Allsopp, who tapped the ball home to score his third goal of the campaign.

Wellington commenced the second stanza clearly intent on restoring parity, pressing forward in numbers as they sought to overwhelm the now undermanned Victory.

Former Fulham player Ahmed Elrich and enigmatic Brazilian Felipe were the catalysts, bursting into the opposition half with pace before displaying their class and guile to glide past Melbourne’s wide backs with ease.

After 50 minutes, New Zealand international Shane Smeltz butchered a chance to equalise, sending his first time shot high following a cross from Elrich.

Rather fittingly however, it was Melbourne old boy Lia who stunned the home crowd as he blasted an 18-yard strike past Michael Theoklitos to score his first ever A-League goal and wrestle Wellington back into the contest.

Following Caceres’ bizarre substitution in the first half, Melbourne lacked the width to challenge the Phoenix and restore their advantage, resorting to speculative long balls in an attempt to catch the defence off guard.

It almost paid dividends in the 66th minute, when Hernandez played a world class lofted pass into the path of Thompson, who advanced on goal before succumbing to a stellar challenge from Karl Dodd.

Dodd proved to be Thompson’s nemesis minutes later as well, again stymieing the flamboyant attacker’s attempt to register a fifth goal of the campaign.

Desperately needing a win to remain in contact with the top four, coach Ernie Merrick introduced the exuberant Leandro Love into the attack.

The move almost paid immediate dividends when the Brazilian launched a counter attack which almost resulted in Daniel Vasilevski finding the back of the net.

But it was to prove fruitless for Victory and Phoenix snatched a vital point away from home as Victory's season ebbs away.