Some Luis Garcia magic has set up Central Coast for a 3-1 A-League win over a hapless Wellington in Christchurch.
The former Liverpool legend scored one goal and set up two others on Saturday, making a huge impact off the bench as the A-League wooden spooners battled to just their third win of the season.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between in a scoreless first half, but Garcia's introduction at the break in an attacking midfield role for Francesco Stella galvanised the Mariners into action.
It took the 37-year-old Spaniard just five minutes to make his mark.
Mariners skipper Fabio Ferreira kick-started proceedings with a scything run down the right, Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss fumbled his deflected cross and a routine save turned into a 1-0 lead as Garcia back-heeled home from close range.
Three minutes later, Garcia turned provider in a well-worked one-two with Storm Roux, dinking in a sublime pass for the All Whites' defender to slot home past a despairing Moss to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
The Phoenix battled back as the hour mark ticked over, defender Tom Doyle's looping back post header looking a sure-fire goal until Mariners keeper Paul Izzo leapt high to claw the ball clear.
Wellington continued to press hard, but couldn't find the finish they needed, playmaker Michael McGlinchey coming close with nine minutes remaining when he unleashed a stinging volley from 10 metres out.
Barely five minutes later, the Mariners struck again with Garcia slotting a sublime through-ball for attacking midfielder Mitch Austin to punch home as Wellington's appeals for an offside run from Ferreira went unanswered.
Hard-working striker Blake Powell netted a goal deep into added time for the Phoenix, clinically steering home Tom Doyle's raking cross past Izzo to provide some late consolation.
The loss extended Wellington's winless streak to eight games, and emphasised their scoring woes with only six goals since their last win, a 2-0 triumph in early December over Melbourne Victory.
