Wellington remain a chance of making the A-League Women finals thanks to a star performance from Venezuela forward Mariana Speckmaier.
After Central Coast took care of Newcastle 2-0 later on Sunday with a goal in each half, the Phoenix moved back to seventh on the table after breaking a run of four straight losses.
Returning to Wellington for their first home match since Christmas, Speckmaier bested goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln one-on-one to find the back of the net in the 43rd minute at Porirua Park.
Speckmaier headed home a corner on 52 minutes to seal the win, although the biggest talking point will centre around a red card given to 'Nix goalkeeper Rylee Foster for violent conduct.
Standing her ground as Canberra prepared to take a corner, United forward Sofia Christopherson went to ground after Foster elbowed her in the stomach.
Foster could hardly believe she had been shown the red card, shouting "she was on my back!" while on the ground to referee Molly Godswell and refusing to leave the field.
Her replacement Brianna Edwards stole the show just seconds after entering, denying the visitors a lifeline after saving Maria Rojas's penalty attempt.
In Newcastle, it took the Mariners just four minutes to find a lead via in-form striker Wurigumula.
The Chinese international was on the spot to calmly slot the ball home after an inch-perfect through ball from Rola Badawiya put her through on goal.
Newcastle controlled possession and had the lion's share of the chances but lacked precision, with a sharp first-half stop from Mariners keeper Sarah Langman maintaining their advantage.
Paige Haywood then doubled the lead on 72 minutes, dribbling wide of Jets custodian Isobel Nino and tucking the ball inside the near post for 2-0.
Shadeene Evans could have made it 3-0 in stoppage time but blasted her one-on-one effort onto the crossbar.
The win took the Mariners to fifth on the ALW table.
