Ten-man Victory draw 1-1 with Phoenix

Melbourne Victory defied being a man down for most of the match to grab a brave 1-1
draw with Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium to extend their A-League lead.

Victory defender Rodrigo Vargas grabbed an equaliser with four minutes remaining to
cancel out Tim Brown's 57th minute Phoenix goal.
Melbourne were one man down from late in the first half when midfielder Nick Ward
was sent off for a second yellow card offence.
Twice he picked up bookings for manhandling Phoenix winger Troy Hearfield, with a
challenge as Hearfield bore down on goal earning Ward his marching orders in the
39th minute from referee Mike Hester.
The Phoenix pressed home their numerical advantage early in the second half when
Brown latched on to a Leo Bertos cross from the right and headed home for the
winner.
But Wellington went into their defensive shell once they took the lead and paid the
price inside the final minutes when Vargas nodded home a cross.
Melbourne now move six points clear at the top of the A-League, though second-placed
Sydney FC can cut that lead should they get a result against North Queensland Fury
on Saturday night