The Phoenix have now had nine games decided by late drama after Alex Rufer’s stoppage-time penalty pain against Newcastle.

Oskar Zawada was a surprise participant at training on Tuesday after he was expected to miss the rest of the season.

The Phoenix’s return to the top of the A-League Men table was short-lived.

The Wellington Phoenix are top of the table and within grasp of their first title. Newsable found out what’s behind their winning ways.

The stakes are high as the A-League Men’s two leading contenders square off in a match that could determine who finishes top of the table.

Alex Rufer will now miss the biggest game of the season after slapped with a one-game ban following his red card against Brisbane.

Finn Surman played with his head heavily bandaged after copping a boot to the head from a teammate while in camp with the All Whites.

It took 76 seconds from Kosta Barbarouses’s kickoff for the Phoenix to strike against Brisbane.

Mariana Speckmaier appears to be in no rush to leave the Phoenix – or New Zealand.

Alex Rufer sent off but the Phoenix still go six points clear at the top of the A-League Men after 1-0 win.

Phoenix captain Alex Rufer was sent off for stepping on a prone Brisbane player while playing for the ball late in the match.

Follow live coverage from Sky Stadium as the table-topping Phoenix eye their 13th win of the season, against the men from Brisbane.

The Phoenix head into the final five rounds of the season holding a three-point advantage at the top of the table.

The Phoenix head into their final game knowing a top-six finish is already out of the equation.