Brockie Nix a point in Perth

Shane Smeltz scored on his return to the Perth Glory starting line up but Jeremy Brockie spoiled the party with an equaliser to give Wellington Phoenix a deserved draw.

Playing in front of a crowd of 7982, Kiwi striker Smeltz netted against his fellow countrymen just after the hour mark before Brockie levelled things up on 72 minutes.

The first half never really got going as both sides huffed and puffed, though there were some decent chances to open the scoring.

Mark Paston had to be alert in the Nix goal to deny Billy Mehmet and Travis Dodd, while at the other end Danny Vukovic kept out a close range volley from Louis Fenton.

Brockie had the best opportunity of the half five minutes before the interval when he was left unmarked 15 yards from goal but his shot sailed harmlessly over.

Seven minutes after the restart, Josh Risdon was denied his first senior goal by the base of the post, however Glory did go ahead on 62 minutes when Smeltz latched on to a Mehmet flick on to fire past Paston.

The lead lasted just over ten minutes when Brockie slotted through the legs of Vukovic after showing Steve Pantelidis a clean pair of heels, much to the delight of the small travelling contingent in the bottom corner of the south stand.

Neither side was able to find a winner and it'll be the visitors no doubt the happier of the two with the result.

Perth Glory: 1. Daniel VUKOVIC, 4. Billy MEHMET, 5. Steve PANTELIDIS, 6. Nick WARD, 7. Jacob BURNS, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Liam MILLER, 13. Travis DODD, 19. Joshua RISDON, 21. Scott JAMIESON, 23. Michael THWAITE.

Subs: 11. Adrian ZAHRA, 14. Steven MCGARRY, 17. Chris HAROLD, 30. Lewis ITALIANO.

Wellington Phoenix: 1. Mark PASTON, 2. Emmanuel MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 6. Alexander SMITH, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL, 11. Jeremy BROCKIE, 16. Louis FENTON, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 22. Andrew DURANTE.

Subs: 10. Stein HUYSEGEMS, 12. Tyler BOYD, 20. Glen MOSS, 28. Ricardo CLARKE.