Former Poland under-21 international forward Oskar Zawada has scored his fifth goal in seven games to lift Wellington to a 1-0 away win over Brisbane in their A-League Men clash.
The 192cm journeyman has proven to be a slick acquisition by the Phoenix this season and gave his side the lead in Redcliffe with a precision header in the 65th minute when he got on the end of a pinpoint cross from Lucas Mauragis.
Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay said Zawada was in the groove and adapting to the team's style.
"We brought him in to score goals. He's our striker," he said.
"Sometimes foreign players take a bit of time to adjust to their team and adjust to the competition and he is starting to realise and understand how we play and where he needs to be, especially when we are attacking.
"He does a lot of work for the team off the ball ... and hopefully he continues in this fashion."
The win took Wellington to 17 ALM points and into the top six while the Roar, playing their third game in eight days, remain on 15 points.
Entering the contest the hosts had proven difficult to break down all season, conceding nine goals but scoring just 10. The Phoenix had been more enterprising in attack, bagging 19 but letting in 18.
The match proceeded according to that script in the main, but with little to get the 6183 fans out of their seats.
The Roar threatened early with forward Nikola Meleusnic shooting just wide on three minutes.
Attacking midfielder Riku Danzaki, reported by the press in the United Kingdom during the week to be in the sights of Scottish Premier League side Motherwell, put Meleusnic through in the ninth minute and he put the ball in the back of the net but was ruled offside.
From there the Phoenix dominated possession for the majority of the half with slick ball movement by their midfielders.
Zawada had some nice touches and schemed off the ball as the visitors went in search of a goal that their dominance in the first half deserved.
Brisbane defender Jack Hingert and winger Carlo Armiento had shots saved late in the opening half.
Zawada made his presence felt after the break and was in the right place at the right time to give the visitors the lead.
Wellington goalkeeper Oliver Sail saved two fierce shots late from Joe Knowles.
Talay said it was "a very important" win for Phoenix ahead of two home games.
Roar coach Warren Moon said the Roar weren't clinical enough in the opposition box and paid the price.
"I'm just really disappointed we didn't get the result. We've got to keep fighting ... and bounce back against Melbourne City," he said.
