SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -Tim Brown scored in the 76th minute Sunday to give the Wellington Phoenix their first A-League football win of the season and hand Sydney FC its first loss.
The 2-1 victory pulled the Phoenix out of last place in the eight-team league and prevented Sydney from moving all alone into top spot. Alex Brosque gave Sydney FC a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute before Shane Smeltz leveled for Wellington in the 42nd.
In the other Sunday match, the Melbourne Victory also lost its first of the season and wasted a chance to move ahead of Sydney when they gave up two late goals to the Queensland Roar.
Tahj Minniecon scored in the 83rd minute and fellow substitute Michael Zullo in stoppage time to give Queensland a 2-0 win and leave the Victory and Sydney level in first place with 11 points each and identical goal averages.
On Saturday, Brazilian striker Cristiano scored in the 72nd and 89th minutes to give Adelaide United a 2-0 win over the Newcastle Jets. The victory maintained Adelaide's perfect home record this season and moved the team back into third place after qualifying for the Asian Champions League semifinals last Wednesday.
Reigning A-League champion Newcastle had injury problems and found itself down to 10 men from the 55th minute when midfielder Jason Hoffmann had to leave the pitch. Brothers Adam and Joel Griffiths suffered leg injuries before halftime, and Jesper Hakansson of Denmark was forced off in the 51st minute.
Adelaide United coach Aurelio Vidmar admitted Newcastle's bad luck with injuries made the win a bit easier.
"It fell into our hands a little in the second half," he said.
Comeback goalkeeper Mark Bosnich's A-League stint came to a premature end when he tore his hamstring taking a goalkick for the Central Coast Mariners, who beat the Perth Glory 4-1 Friday.
The 36-year-old Bosnich was four games into a likely five-game stint, but lasted only six minutes against the Glory before clutching his leg and walking off the ground. Regular Mariners No. 1 goalkeeper Danny Vukovic will return from his ban for striking a referee in two weeks.
Bosnich had been out of the game since 2002 after revelations of drug use, but got himself back into shape and recaptured the form which made him a star with Manchester United, Aston Villa and for Australia.
Despite the serious nature of the injury, Bosnich refused to concede his time at the Mariners was over.
"Officially I won't know until I have a scan on Monday," Bosnich said. "I don't think it's that serious. I'll be back, touch wood. I'll be back this season. I'm trying to be positive."
