A Shane Smeltz screamer lifted Wellington to a 2-1 upset of table-topping Melbourne Victory on Friday and injected further life into the Phoenix's A-League campaign.
Smeltz's curling, 30m strike with 30 minutes remaining was the difference in an absorbing encounter between two in-form teams.
The Phoenix had never won two matches in succession before last week and their third triumph on the trot ended Melbourne's own three-game run.
It was also Wellington's first win over Melbourne in five meetings and was a deserved result after they had the better of the second half.
The scores were locked 1-1 at halftime but up stepped All Whites striker Smeltz with a solo strike in the 58th minute that underlined why is rated among the league's premier finishers.
He zipped around defender Michael Thwaite with a sublime turn and, with two other defenders standing off him, sent the ball into the top right corner for his league-leading ninth goal of the season.
The result in perfect conditions and in front of a sizeable crowd was one of Wellington's best in their 1-1/2 season existence, coming against quality opponents who are favourites to win the league.
There were some heart-stopping moments in the final 10 minutes as Melbourne pushed forward, with Thwaite missing from an acute angle after eluding goalkeeper Mark Paston.
However, Wellington's growing maturity at the back carried them to their fifth win of the season and lifted them to fourth place, although three more matches remain in round 13.
An even match exploded into life with a series of Melbourne chances and a goal to each team midway through the first half.
Paston was forced to make three parrying saves from three separate Victory attacks, with Tom Pondeljak, Danny Allsopp and Kevin Muscat all denied.
However, Paston had no chance in the 21st minute when Allsopp crashed home a header from less than one metre out after Ney Fabiano's leaping header struck the post.
It took just one minute for the Phoenix to respond, when midfielder Tim Brown side-volleyed the headed clearance of a Leo Bertos free kick.
Under pressure, Brown got enough on the shot to bounce it into the top left corner past stunned goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos.
Wellington's Brazilian guest player Fred was a disappointment for much of the match, his highly-rated touch often letting him down against the club he helped win the 2006-07 title.
The Phoenix's revival will be tested by a match away to Adelaide next Friday.