Melbourne Victory have fought out a 1-1 draw with Wellington to reclaim second spot on the A-League Women table and strike a blow to the Phoenix's finals hopes.

Wellington forward Maya McCutcheon's header in the second minute opened the scoring at Porirua Park on Saturday, before Nickoletta Flannery responded off the bench in the 61st minute.

Victory (29 points) sit ahead of third-placed Adelaide on goal difference and four points behind leaders Melbourne City, who face Newcastle away on Saturday night.

Wellington (20 points), who had 17 shots to Victory's nine, spurned a chance to jump into the top six and could fall further behind given fifth-placed Central Coast (23) play seventh-placed Canberra (21) on Saturday.

Victory were flat early and the Phoenix quickly drew first blood.

Annalie Longo floated a corner to the near post and McCutcheon made a wonderful run to flick home the opener.

Wellington's Manaia Elliott hit the side netting in the 18th minute, and Victory goalkeeper Courtney Newbon made a great save to deny the teenager in the 51st minute

Victory coach Jeff Hopkins turned to his substitutes on the hour mark, bringing on Holly Furphy and Flannery, and the move immediately paid off.

Furphy burst forward down the left and, after striker Emily Gielnik was unable to control her pass, Phoenix defender Tiana Jaber rushed a clearance and accidentally sent the ball straight to the feet of Flannery.

The winger burst down the right and smashed a wonderful strike into the far corner of the net.

Alivia Kelly forced another good save from Newbon in the 72nd minute, then the Victory goalkeeper denied McCutcheon a winner in stoppage time.

Victory return home to face Central Coast next Sunday, and Wellington travel to play Perth Glory the same day.