Paul Ifill struck six minutes from time to secure a 2-2 A-League draw for Wellington Phoenix against Melbourne Victory at Westpac Stadium today.

Tim Brown opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a low drive into the bottom-right corner of the goal but Victory levelled just two minutes later when Archie Thompson finished following a one-two with Carlos Hernandez. The visitors then took the lead five minutes before half time when Robbie Kruse fired home from Billy Celeski's pass.

Wellington pushed forward in the second half in search of an equaliser and dominated possession with Troy Hearfield, Jade North and Ifill all going close. And Ifill finally found a way past keeper Micheal Petkovic in the 84th minute when he hit an angled drive into the back of the net and ensure the hosts escaped with a point.

The draw means Phoenix stay seventh in the A-League on 19 points, with Victory remaining a place ahead on goal difference.

Elsewhere, Melbourne Heart and Sydney FC played out a goalless draw at AAMI Park.

Both sides had chances to score in an entertaining encounter and though Sydney had defender Byung Sung-hwan sent off late on, the hosts were unable to capitalise and had to settle for a point. Heart stay in fifth place while Sydney are ninth.