The Newcastle Jets have begun their A-League season with a 2-1 victory over the Wellington Phoenix, despite playing the final 13 minutes of the match with 10 men.
The home side were the first to threaten when Roy Krishna lifted the ball into the box from a corner and Ben Sigmund headed at goal, but his effort was cleared off the line.
Newcastle took the lead in the 30th minute as Lee Ki-je was afforded space and time to pick out David Carney in the box and the forward guided his headed into the net from close range.
The Phoenix got back into the game in stoppage time in the first half as Roly Bonevacia's deflected strike found the net after he latched on to a cross from Michael McGlinchey.
In the second half, Wellington were handed the chance to take the lead when Daniel Mullen brought down Blake Powell in the box and a penalty was awarded. Krishna took the spot kick, but saw his effort saved by Mark Birighitti.
The Jets made Krishna pay for his miss when Carney found the run of Milos Trifunovic, who raided into the box before burying a low strike past Glen Moss to fire his side into the lead.
Newcastle were reduced to 10 men as Nigel Boogaard was sent off for a second bookable offence for pulling back Krishna as he attempted to drive forward into the box.
The home side put the pressure on the Jets in the final 13 minutes, but the visitors held out to secure the victory.
Simon Sinclair
