Brisbane Roar had a penalty decision overturned in a scoreless draw to open a one-point lead at the top of Australia's A-League on Sunday.

The draw against the Phoenix in Wellington ended the Roar's four-game winning run but it was not without controversy.

Referee Stephen Lucas's decision to overturn a 32nd minute penalty after consulting his assistant proved a key moment for the Roar, who could not break down the Phoenix's makeshift defence.

Brisbane moved ahead of Western Sydney Wanderers after they went down 3-2 to a late goal from Melbourne City's Frenchman Harry Novillo.

Novillo scored a double as third-placed City led twice before the Wanderers pulled back to equalise through Mitch Nichols and an own goal from Northern Ireland's Aaron Hughes.

Sydney FC's Iraqi international Ali Abbas capped a memorable comeback from a serious knee injury scoring the winning goal in a 2-0 defeat of Newcastle Jets.

Abbas, who has spent the last 14 months out after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, latched on to a Matt Simon back heel in the 79th minute to secure the three points for the fourth-placed Sydney.

Albania's Besart Berisha scored in stoppage time to earn champions Melbourne Victory a come-from-behind 3-3 draw with Central Coast Mariners in Melbourne.

The Mariners led 3-0 at half-time but Berisha scored a double and substitute Archie Thompson scored another to complete Victory's second half comeback.

Adelaide United moved into the playoff positions with a 3-1 win over Glory in Perth with Spaniard Sergio Cirio and Argentine Marcelo Carrusca among the scorers.