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The day was all about the milestone man Thompson but the script obviously never made it to Wellington with the Nix coming from behind twice to steal the points.
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Victory were guilty of squandering numerous chances to score in the first half but failed to do so, resulting in Wellington swooping in with the ultimate smash and grab job.
Besart Berisha was most culpable of profligacy in front of goal and could have easily had himself a first half hat-trick.
As the game kicked on it was clear it just wasn’t the big man’s day after sending hitting the post from a penalty then coming close later with an extravagant over-head kick that just went wide.
Victory started then stronger of the two sides, looking to launch into attack from the opening whistle.
The home side will still be trying to figure out how they did not opening the scoring in the 15th minute as two moments kicked the game into life.
Kosta Barbarouses had a glorious chance to score against his former side after being fed in from a delightful ball from Fahid Ben Khalfallah put him one-on-one with Glen Moss but the kiwi international first touch cooked him allowing his international team-mate to make the save.
The resulting corner saw Victory awarded a penalty after Ben Sigmund dived in to block Mark Milligan shot that ref Jared Gillett deemed reckless.
Berisha couldn't make them pay however as he sent his kick against the left post.
The AAMI Park woodwork was getting a serious workout just moments after that with the crossbar keeping out Gui Finkler’s shot.
The opener finally came in the 33 minutes into the game through the unlikely source of defender Scott Galloway how was on hand to slide the ball past Moss.
A sublime free kick just moments before the break via Roly Bonevacia who sent a curling free kick into the top left corner of Nathan Coe’s goal.
Victory once again took the lead when Kosta Barbarouses finished nicely to finally get one past Moss.
Not to be outdone by his opposite number, Phoenix full back Michael Boxall turned the game for his side with a goal and an assist to take the points.
Boxall headed home a free kick in the 68th minute to level the scores before getting in the assist for Nathan Burns’ winner 13 minutes from full time.
The winner had more than a hint of offside in it as Burns was well offside when Boxall first stormed pass Nick Ansell. With Boxall charging down the right wing unopposed, Burns got back onside to be on hand for the easiest of tap-ins for what proved to be the winning goal.
The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Thompson when he entered the game in the in the 72nd minute.
The 22,000-strong crowd who hoping for the fairy-tale Thompson goal to earn a draw but the moment never came as Wellington ran out with their first ever win against Victory in Melbourne.
It was a disappointing day all round for Victory, not only did they fail in honour one of their finest servants with a win on his milestone game, they missed the chance to claim top spot on the ladder.
On such a special and historic day for the club nothing seem to go Victory’s way throughout the day.
Victory could have easily had the game all but sealed in the first half and copped 2 very soft second half goals.
Melbourne Victor starting XI: 1. Nathan COE(GK), 2. Jason GERIA, 4. Nick ANSELL, 5. Mark MILLIGAN (C), 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Gui FINKLER, 8. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 14. Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 21. Carl VALERI, 24. Scott GALLOWAY
Melbourne Victory substitutes: 20. Lawrence THOMAS(GK), 10. Archie THOMPSON, 15. Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 16. Rashid MAHAZI, 17. Mathieu DELPIERRE
Wellington Phoenix starting XI: 1. Glen MOSS (GK), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 4. Roly BONEVACIA, 5. Michael BOXALL, 8. Alex RODRIGEUZ, 9. Nathan BURNS, 10. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 13, Albert RIERA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 21. Roy KRISHNA, 22. Andrew DURANTE (C)
Wellington Phoenix substitutes: 20. Lewis ITALINO (GK), 3. Joel GRIFFITHS, 7. Kenny CUNNINGHAM, 15. Jason HICKS, 17. Vince LIA