Wellington Phoenix huffed and puffed in search of its first Hyundai A-League home win but it was the Newcastle Jets that blew the house down at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, on Sunday afternoon.
In the end it was a 77th minute long-range free kick from Matt Thompson that took a deflection and bamboozled Phoenix goalkeeper Glenn Moss to sneak inside his left hand goal post that sealed the 1-0 win.
The goal came somewhat against the run of play but not before there was a noticeable shift in the Jets gaining a degree of ascendancy in midfield.
In the end the Phoenix will rue the match being one of missed opportunities, the match an exciting, open affair played before a crowd of 11,478.
Phoenix midfielder Michael Ferrante had arguably the most gilt-edged opportunities in each half but, as was the case for much of the match, it was Jets goalkeeper Ante Covic that kept the visitors on level terms before Thompson secured the three competition points.
The result means the Phoenix have drawn one and lost two matches in their inaugural Hyundai A-League season, while the Jets secured their first win to add to two opening draws.
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert opted to start with Brazilian playmakers Daniel and Felipe Campos in the midfield for the first time this season with Jeremy Christie settling in at the problem position of right back.
And with Karl Dodd and Steven O'Dor occupying the central defensive positions, the Phoenix appeared to have plugged the gaps ruthlessly exposed by the Central Coast Mariners the previous week.
Felipe was impressive, combining well with his Brazilian counterpart but ultimately they were forced to direct play wide by Jets central defenders Griffiths and captain Jade North.
The first real chance came in the 12th minute when Jets midfielder Denni sent in a low cross to Jason Hoffman but the 18-year-old, in his run on start for the visitors, could only partially connect on the six yard box before the ball was cleared.
Hoffman forced a save from Phoenix goalkeeper Moss in the 19th minute before a Shane Smeltz through ball to Daniel forced Jets goalkeeper Covic to save a strike with his feet moments later.
Covic was again called into action in the 24th minute when Ferrante missed a clear chance to give the home side the lead. The Phoenix midfielder forced the Jets custodian to again deflect with his feet a low strike on goal from inside the penalty box.
Jets left back Matt Thompson did well in the 33rd minute to get the better of Jeremy Christie on the penalty edge before striking low to Moss.
Moments later Hoffman was denied from close range by a fine save from Moss after a right hand cross from Joel Griffiths was hit goal-bound by the young striker.
Thompson sent a 30m drive whistling over the bar on half-time.
Daniel was replaced early in the second half by Vaughan Coveny. The veteran striker got a header on goal early following a cross from attacking partner Shane Smeltz but it was easily handled by Covic.
Ferrante missed a second clear chance when a left cross was punched by Covic into the path of Ferrante but the midfielder's close range strike from in front of goal was sprayed over the bar.
Covic kept the visitors in contention when he tipped a dipping, left foot shot from Felipe over