Wellington Phoenix leapfrog Adelaide United with win

Wellington Phoenix beat Adelaide United 3-1 this morning to leapfrog their opponents in the A-League table.

Substitute Tyler Boyd scored twice in the final 15 minutes to earn Wellington three away points after Sergio Cirio had cancelled out Kenny Cunningham's opener.

Just one point separated the two teams in the standings prior to kickoff, but Adelaide were thoroughly dominant in the first half.

However, they were made to pay for failing to make the most of their 60% possession and 11 attempts on goal when Cunningham put Wellington ahead on 54 minutes following a pass from Jeremy Brockie, who will soon join South African club SuperSport United.

Phoenix manager Ernie Merrick hooked his goalscorer on 71 minutes, and United quickly equalised as Cirio turned home a cross from Awer Mabil, but their parity lasted all of four minutes as the visitors responded strongly.

It was Cunningham's replacement Boyd who restored Wellington's lead, and a second goal for the young striker, following a counter-attack led by Michael Boxall, sealed the points in stoppage time.

The result sees the Phoenix climb to third in the table, four points behind leaders Perth Glory.