The centre back gave his usual wholehearted performance but was only skipper due to the absence of Andrew Durante and Tim Brown.
The suspended veterans were sorely missed.
The Phoenix upped the tempo once it fell behind on Saturday night to the Central Coast Mariners but generally looked a shadow of the team that had won its last three matches on the road, with Paul Ifill particularly quiet as it slumped to its second consecutive loss.
It now faces a tough run to the finals, with away matches against Sydney and both Melbourne teams plus another clash with the Mariners.
Brisbane's final five matches look easier and the Roar should stay at second, leaving Ricki Herbert's men in a fight with Perth, Melbourne Heart, Sydney FC and Newcastle for the remaining two top-four spots.
Boom teenager Tomas Rogic opened the scoring in the 50th minute with a sublime curling strike from 25m, his second spectacular goal in a week.
The Mariners completely dominated midfield for most of the match, with the Phoenix chasing shadows most of the night. A Patrick Zwaanswijk header from a perfect Michael McGlinchey free kick sealed the points seven minutes from time.
Mark Paston was forced to make five saves in the first half alone, several from point blank range, as the home side completely dominated.
McGlinchey ran the show on attack and has to be the first name in Herbert's All Whites' midfield against Jamaica at the end of the month.
Stand-in fullback Vince Lia was constantly caught out as the Mariners attacked at will down his flank and it was only Paston and profligate finishing that keep the game scoreless in the first half.
The Phoenix will remain in Sydney this week, ahead of its clash with Sydney FC on Saturday.
Central Coast Mariners 2 (T Rogic 50, P Zwaanswijk 83), Wellington Phoenix 0. Halftime: 0-0.
- Michael Burgess
