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AAP
AAP
Sport
Ben McKay

Phoenix let chances slip in 2-2 ALM draw with Brisbane

Wellington and Brisbane have played out a 2-2 A-League Men draw at Eden Park in Auckland. (Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Wellington Phoenix's Brazilian wildcat Yan Sasse has played the role of villain, hero and villain once more in their 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar, a result which does little for either side's A-League Men ambitions.

The Nix led 2-1 and were pushing hard for a third before Scott Neville's late headed equaliser ended their chances of a top-four finish.

Brisbane, which remain stranded just out of the six finals positions with two rounds to go, will also lament not holding an early lead gifted by Yan Sasse.

The Brazilian was in everything on Sunday at Eden Park, Wellington's Auckland fortress where they have not lost in 11 outings.

His earliest involvement was his worst, clumsily tackling Jez Lofthouse for a seventh-minute Brisbane penalty.

Jay O'Shea made no mistake from the spot and in doing so, scored for a sixth straight match to equal a Brisbane record set by legend Besart Berisha.

Lofthouse was involved again for Phoenix's reply, catching David Ball as the Englishman surged into the box for a return penalty.

Oskar Zawada's resulting goal was his 14th of the season, giving Wellington a platform to kick on.

After the first-half penalties, Yan Sasse put the Nix ahead on the 56th minute with a sumptuous effort, racing clean through on goal after one-twos with Kosta Barbarouses and Oskar Zawada that split the Brisbane defence.

From that point, Wellington laid siege to Jordan Holmes' goal and looked certain winners.

David Ball hit the woodwork three times in an insane 70 seconds, including one shot that hit the inside of both posts before being scurried away.

Failing to kick clear, Brisbane made the Kiwis pay in the 83rd minute, when Neville headed O'Shea's corner past Sail.

Yan Sasse was then guilty of a horror miss in stoppage time, failing to hit the target with a clear header just metres from goal.

The draw keeps Wellington on track for finals, snapping a run of three straight losses, but ends their hopes of a top four finish and a home final.

Ufuk Talay's side can confirm their participation with four points in their final two matches, on the road to Western Sydney and Macarthur.

For Brisbane, it's a harder path to the post-season.

The draw in Auckland - caretaker coach Nick Green's first point on the road - leaves them ninth, two points from sixth place on full-time, meaning they must beat Sydney at home next week to have any chance.

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