Steven Taylor howler costs Wellington Phoenix in goalless draw against Brisbane Roar
Wellington were left to rue a Steven Taylor howler in a sloppy A-League affair with Brisbane that finished 0-0 at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane were slick in their opening draw last weekend but on Sunday lacked the polish against the Phoenix in what was the fourth consecutive draw between the sides.
Wellington had won just twice in their past 17 visits to Brisbane but entered on a high after toppling last year's grand finalists Newcastle last weekend.
Like in their 1-1 draw with Central Coast a week ago, the Roar probed and controlled a bulk of the contest but were unable to capitalise in front of 15,129 fans.
It was the Phoenix with the best early chance, though, when a rolling ball fell to former English Premier League striker Steven Taylor.
But the Englishman somehow hit the outside of the post from just two metres when an open net beckoned.
The former Newcastle United talent's shocker was quickly coined as the miss of the season on social media and proved to be the only clear-cut chance in an opening stanza littered with half-opportunities.
Phoenix coach Mark Rudan said Taylor showed tremendous character to regroup after the miss.
"I've got players who've got their head in their hands. They knew we could easily have won this game," he said.
"I'm glad we're talking about that rather than something else, those three letters starting with 'V' ... it's good for a change.
"He was bitterly disappointed, all over the shop and knew what a chance that was."
A goal-scorer last week, Adam Taggart was quiet for the hosts, while Alex Lopez's long-range effort forced a strong save from Filip Kurto in stoppage time.
"We nullified what their strengths were last week ... we've done our homework," Rudan said.
Avraam Papadopoulos was also good for the hosts, intercepting regularly in a busy second half of defence.
Rudan introduced former Roar marksman Mitch Nichols to boos in the 82nd minute while Nathan Burns joined him for the final 10 minutes but were unable to manufacture a winner.
Roar coach John Aloisi begged to differ from Rudan's assessment, believing it was his side that had emerged moral victors.
"It was a difficult night because we haven't really played against a team that has five at the back ... and found it hard to penetrate them," he said.
"We were the team that controlled the game and tried to break them down.
"We just lacked that sharpness in the final third, that was the difference."
Game Information
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