Wellington Phoenix moved four points clear at the top of Australia's A-League with a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar in a rain-shortened match in Brisbane on Sunday.

As the rest of their rivals stumbled in the five-way race for top spot, the New Zealand side overcame an early deficit to register an important victory.

Referee Alan Milliner was forced to officially abandon the game in the 73rd minute amid torrential rain, with the result at the time giving the Phoenix their first-ever win in Brisbane.

Andrija Kaluderovic put the Roar ahead after just five minutes before Michael McGlinchey equalised 15 minutes later.

Nathan Burns pounced just before halftime to give Phoenix the lead and the eventual winner.

Melbourne Victory lie second in the league table after a 2-2 draw at Adelaide United.

After a cracking early goal from the Victory's Ben Kalfallah, the Reds struck back through goals by Pablo Sanchez and Dylan McGowan in the 43rd and 74th minutes.

But shortly after McGowan's goal, Melbourne veteran striker Archie Thompson equalised.

Sydney FC were denied a chance to go top of the table when they went down to a late James Brown goal in a 1-0 loss to Melbourne City.

A long-range stoppage-time equaliser from English midfielder Nick Montgomery secured a 1-1 draw for Central Coast Mariners and extended Perth Glory's winless run to nine matches.

A headed goal from Glory substitute Jamie Maclaren 11 minutes from time seemed to be enough for the visitors to secure victory until Montgomery's late strike in Gosford.

Asian club champions Western Sydney Wanderers went back to the bottom of the standings after a 2-1 loss to Newcastle Jets in the basement battle.

The Jets scored two first-half goals through imports Enver Alivodic and Lee Kiji, while Nick Kalmar netted a free kick for the Wanderers.