Brisbane Roar have moved to equal top of the A-League ladder with a 1-0 victory over the Wellington Phoenix at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
After the Roar failed to convert a host of opportunities in the opening half, 20-year-old Kosta Barbarouses, playing against his former club for the first time, showed his new team-mates the way to the back of the net in the 73rd minute.
After dominating the entire contest against Sydney less than week earlier, the Roar didn't have it all their own way against the Phoenix, who created their own share of opportunities with enterprising counter attack.
On a night where Brisbane failed to ever reach top gear, the home side could have easily been made to pay for their missed chances as Wellington fought to the end and looked threatening in possession.
In a busy first half, Brisbane had more ball and enjoyed dominant field position, but their goal scoring woes continued unabated and both Mitch Nichols and Thomas Broich failed with point-blank one-on-one efforts against Wellington keeper Mark Paston.
Wellington were limited to counter-attacking game in response to the Roar's possession, and of the visitors it was Dylan Macallister who looked most likely to find the net.
After a spirited, defence-orientated opening half, which saw Vince Lia, Paul Ifill and Tim Brown shown yellow by referee Chris Beath, Wellington came out with intent after the break, and for a time looked the sharper of the sides.
Eventually though Brisbane were finally able to capitalise on their time in front of goal.
In a smooth one-touch build-up, Brisbane skipper Matt McKay was the man to play the final pass to Barbarouses who was pin-point accurate, steering his shot past Paston and just inside the right-hand post.
Wellington and Brisbane traded chances in the final 20 minutes, but both keepers held strong to keep the score locked at 1-0.
Brisbane Roar 1 (Barbarouses 73)
Wellington Phoenix 0