Phoenix captain Annalie Longo. Photo: Photosport
Wellington Phoenix scored in the eighth and final minute of extra time to complete a stunning 3-2 A-League women's win over the Newcastle Jets in Porirua.
Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the home side staged a comeback with a strong wind at their back, capped by Manaia Elliott's goal direct from a corner kick in what was virtually the last act of the game.
Elliott's curling cross could only be touched by the glove of Jets goalkeeper Danielle Krzyzania as it sailed into the net, greeted with jubilation by the Phoenix players.
Victory over struggling Newcastle lifts Wellington from sixth to fourth in the standings heading into a match away to Central Coast Mariners on Sunday next week.
Paul Temple's team will hope they can produce the same fight, having fallen behind to two goals from Jets striker Sheridan Gallagher in the first spell at Porirua Park.
Temple made a key change at halftime, introducing Elliott, who finished the match with two goals.
She had an impact six minutes after the restart, diving bravely for a low header to score from a cross delivered by captain Annalie Longo.
Manaia Elliott. Photo: Photosport
Eight minutes later Longo levelled the scores after good buildup work from Elliott and Emma Main - another second-half substitute - with the skipper slotting home a parried save from Krzyzaniak.
Elliott's spectacular late score handed the Phoenix their fourth straight win in Porirua.
It also extracted a measure of revenge, having lost their third-round match away to Newcastle 1-0 in November.
The match was the 50th for Phoenix midfielder Alyssa Whinham.
The 21-year-old became the second women's player at the club to reach the milestone after defender Mackenzie Barry.
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