Victory held by improving Phoenix
David Williams showed his confidence is back as he scored a quality goal in Wellington Phoenix's 1-1 draw against Melbourne Victory.
The experienced forward put the visitors ahead at AAMI Park, and they were only denied what would have been a fourth consecutive win when Ola Toivonen netted late on.
Williams, who had scored 29 A-League goals across spells with North Queensland Fury and Melbourne City, joined the Phoenix in the off-season.
He only ended a 22-match league scoring drought last week, in the 4-1 success against Brisbane Roar, but, having broken that duck, he made it two in as many matches when he sold a dummy to Storm Roux before curling home a shot at the far post.
Victory, who were again without marquee Keisuke Honda, looked set for a first defeat in eight games until Toivonen diverted Terry Antonis' cross-cum-shot into the net to score for the fourth consecutive match.
The point took them at least temporarily back to the top of the table, above Perth on goal difference, with the Glory having a game in hand.
Kevin Muscat's side picked up another injury during the match as Nick Ansell was forced off in the first half with an apparent hamstring problem after attempting to block Roy Krishna's shot.
Ansell could join Honda, Raul Baena and Georg Niedermeier on a growing injury list at the club.
Victory had the most possession, but Wellington created several clear chances including an early on when Sarpreet Singh was through one-on-one but saw his effort smothered by keeper Lawrence Thomas.
Mandi struck a free kick just wide of the Victory goal frame, while at the other end James Troisi was just centimetres from tapping in Kosta Barbarouses' sharp centre.
Wellington are 20/1 to win the A-League Grand Final, while the Phoenix are 4/5 to finish in the top six.
View all Soccer betting
David Williams showed his confidence is back as he scored a quality goal in Wellington Phoenix's 1-1 draw against Melbourne Victory.
The experienced forward put the visitors ahead at AAMI Park, and they were only denied what would have been a fourth consecutive win when Ola Toivonen netted late on.
Williams, who had scored 29 A-League goals across spells with North Queensland Fury and Melbourne City, joined the Phoenix in the off-season.
He only ended a 22-match league scoring drought last week, in the 4-1 success against Brisbane Roar, but, having broken that duck, he made it two in as many matches when he sold a dummy to Storm Roux before curling home a shot at the far post.
Victory, who were again without marquee Keisuke Honda, looked set for a first defeat in eight games until Toivonen diverted Terry Antonis' cross-cum-shot into the net to score for the fourth consecutive match.
The point took them at least temporarily back to the top of the table, above Perth on goal difference, with the Glory having a game in hand.
Kevin Muscat's side picked up another injury during the match as Nick Ansell was forced off in the first half with an apparent hamstring problem after attempting to block Roy Krishna's shot.
Ansell could join Honda, Raul Baena and Georg Niedermeier on a growing injury list at the club.
Victory had the most possession, but Wellington created several clear chances including an early on when Sarpreet Singh was through one-on-one but saw his effort smothered by keeper Lawrence Thomas.
Mandi struck a free kick just wide of the Victory goal frame, while at the other end James Troisi was just centimetres from tapping in Kosta Barbarouses' sharp centre.
Wellington are 20/1 to win the A-League Grand Final, while the Phoenix are 4/5 to finish in the top six.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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