Brisbane Roar climbed into second spot in the A-League standings after recording a 2-0 win at title rivals Wellington Phoenix, whose five-match winning streak was brought to an end.

Besart Berisha opened the scoring in the 42nd minute and Mitch Nichols added a second ten minutes from time as the defending champions replaced Wellington in second spot and moved to within five points of A-League pacesetters Central Coast Mariners.

In today's other match rock-bottom Gold Coast United lost 2-1 at home to second-bottom Adelaide United and now look consigned to the wooden spoon.

A Nigel Boogaard own goal gave the hosts an early lead in a match played in torrential rain, but strikes from Bruce Djite and Dario Vidosic helped Adelaide bounce back to claim the win and open up an eight-point gap over their opponents.