Adelaide United ended their A-League Women’s campaign with a disappointing 3-1 home loss to Wellington Phoenix at Service FM Stadium on Tuesday night.
The result leaves the Reds in eighth spot on 18 points.
Phoenix broke the deadlock on 20 minutes after a whipped corner from the right by Charlotte Lancaster. Chloe Knott rose highest inside a crowded penalty area and nodded the ball home from close range.
Wellington’s lead lasted two minutes, with the Reds equalising after a well-worked passage.
Emilia Murray drilled in a cross from the right, which was met at the back post by Fiona Worts, who headed into the back of the net.
On 39 minutes Emily Clegg chased down a loose ball but was beaten to it by the onrushing Reds keeper Annalee Grove, whose clearance slammed straight into the legs of the striker and out over the by-line.
United had a chance on the stroke of half-time when MelindaJ Barbieri let fly from outside the area, but she fired straight at the ‘keeper.
Barbieri tested the Wellington shot-stopper again on the hour, delivering an in-swinging free kick from the left, which Candy had to punch away.
The visitors grabbed their second on 74 minutes before a third deep into injury time via a cruel deflection.
United almost equalised within minutes for a second time when Maruschka Waldus hit the post after getting on the end of a free kick.
