Brisbane Roar have climbed to the top of the A-League with a 4-1 victory over Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium.

The visitors opened the scoring after just three minutes, when New Zealand international Kosta Barbarouses fired home from a Ivan Franjic cut-back. Tim Brown levelled eight minutes before the break when he volleyed home from outside the box, but Brisbane regained their lead on the stroke of half-time when Thomas Broich's deflected volley flew beyond keeper Mark Paston.

Massimo Murocca then gave the Roar a two-goal cushion in the 76th minute, before substitute Mitch Nichols wrapped up the scoring with a low 90th-minute shot from the edge of the area. The win lifted Brisbane one point ahead of Adelaide United, who have a game in hand.

"The boys were fantastic, absolutely brilliant," Roar coach Ange Postecoglou said. "We started really well and I thought we were always threatening going forward.

"We defended really well as a unit and even after conceding the goal, the boys didn't drop their heads and we looked solid. After scoring the second goal before half-time, I thought we came out in the second half and tore them apart."

Glory and Heart share spoils
In the day's other game, Perth Glory's seven-game losing streak was finally brought to an end as they played out a goalless draw with Melbourne Heart.

Both sides had chances to take all three points, with Mile Sterjovski firing over the bar from close range midway through the second half for the home side, and Eli Babalj heading against the post in injury time for Heart.