Melbourne City have defeated Wellington Phoenix 2-0 at the Westpac Stadium to keep their A-League season alive.
Both sides struggled to find any real momentum in the closing weeks of the regular campaign, each picking up just one win in nine, but it was the Heart who prevailed in this morning's elimination final clash.
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It was almost a dream start to the contest for City as David Williams burst through on goal, but a poor first touch saw the chance go begging inside the opening six minutes.
Harry Novillo forced Glen Moss into making a save soon after following a training-ground move which almost paid off, while Michael McGlinchey saw his set piece come back off the bar with what was the Nix's best chance of the first half.
These two sides played out a goalless draw last month, and the game proved to be just as tight heading into the final 30 minutes, until Joshua Kennedy finally managed to make the breakthrough at the third time of asking.
After two previous near misses, the 32-year-old directed Aaron Mooy's shot into the back of the net to give Melbourne, winners of just one of the last 11 meetings against Wellington, a vital advantage.
A rather fortuitous second goal followed a little over 10 minutes later when Novillo's shot hit the post before rebounding off Moss and into the back of the net.
Nathan Burns looked to pull one back for the New Zealand outfit but was unable to find a way through in the remaining time, in which the hosts also saw a shot cleared off the line at the death to ensure that it would be Melbourne who progressed through in the A-League finals.
Daniel Lewis
