Photo:  Adelaide United coach John Kosmina thought his side played well [PlessPix]

(A-League, Hindmarsh Stadium, Friday, 3 February 2012)

Adelaide United 1 (Djite 10)

Wellington Phoenix 2 (Brown 13, Sanchez 38)

HT: 1-2   Att: 8,425   Ref: G Parsons

Adelaide United: Galekovic  -  Watson, Boogaard, Levchenko, Cassio  -  Barbiero, Malik, Vidosic (Melling 75), Ramsay (Caravella 63)  -  Djite, Van Dijk  (Subs not used:  Usucar, Izzo)

Wellington Phoenix: Paston  -  Muscat, Sigmund, Durante, Lochhead  -  Bertos, Smith, Brown, Sanchez  -  Greenacre (Lia 70), Ifill  (Subs not used:  Daniel, Downey, Warner)

Adelaide United took an early lead against the visiting Wellington Phoenix but trailed 2-1 at half-time and eventually lost by that margin.

The result leaves Adelaide in second-last spot and Wellington Phoenix second, just 7 points behind A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners.

In the 10th minute, good tackling and neat build-up play enabled Adelaide to take the lead.  Sergio Van Dijk won the ball in a tackle and slipped a perfect pass through for Dario Vidosic inside the box.  Vidosic lost possession and Manny Muscat inadvertently touched the ball into space, where Bruce Djite pounced and smashed it home from just about on the penalty spot.

Adelaide were unlucky not to increase their lead in the 12th minute when Van Dijk got onto the end of a free-kick from the left, but his header came back off the bar.

Less than a minute later, the Phoenix were level as Vidosic lost possession in midfield and the visitors launched a quick counter-attack.  Paul Ifill, wide on the left, used his heel to control the ball and then raced down the wing before curling the ball into the box for Tim Brown to steer home with a deft first touch.

Sanchez headed the winner in the 38th minute from Alex Smith’s precise cross.

Adelaide had Cassio back after missing three months through injury, but he was unable to alter the outcome.

Ifill should have had a penalty when brought down by Boogaard, but Mr Parsons showed him a yellow card instead.