Western Sydney Wanderers scored their first win of the A-League season, beating Wellington Phoenix 2-0 on Sunday.

In front of 12,663 fans in sweltering conditions in Penrith, Nikita Rukavytsya broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, ending a six-year A-League goal drought.

The game was in the balance until stoppage time when Brendon Santalab doubled the lead after some nice lead-up from Nick Kalmar.

The Wanderers have remained winless in the domestic competition since their grand final loss to Brisbane Roar last season.

Rooted to the bottom of the ladder as the only team yet to post a victory this season, the precious three points provide the faintest glimmer of hope of making the top six, which still lies a massive 12 points away.

Playing the first ever A-League game in Penrith instead of their usual Parramatta fortress, the Wanderers were boosted by the return of Socceroos stars Tomi Juric and Matthew Spiranovic.

With temperatures soaring into the mid-30s in Sydney’s west, play was stopped midway through the first half for a drinks break.

The Phoenix emerged eyeing an equaliser with the tournament’s leading goal scorer, Nathan Burns, charging towards goal before being dispossessed.

Playmaker Michael McGlinchey picked up where he left off, showing his fine touch after regaining possession to force a save from keeper Ante Covic on the half-hour mark.

The Wanderers kept up the attack with a long-range Labinot Haliti strike just shaving the crossbar and a missile from Mark Bridge drawing a great save from gloveman Glen Moss just before half-time.

Ernie Merrick’s men returned from the break desperate to score and McGlinchey and Burns continued to threaten but just could not break through the Wanderers’ backline.

Roly Bonevacia had two last ditch attempts to level for the visitors but to no avail.

Santalab, who had come on for Juric in the 75th minute, got on the end of a Nick Kalmar ball to send the crowd into raptures with his injury-time goal.

Round 16 results:

Brisbane 2 df. Newcastle 1
Central Coast 2 df. Adelaide 1
Melb Victory 3 df. Melb City 0
Sydney 3 df. Perth 1
Western Sydney 2 df. Wellington 0

Source: AAP