The Nix had led 1-0 and 2-1 thanks to goals from Corban Piper and Chico Geraldes only to be pegged back by equalisers from former fan favourite Bozhidar Kraev and then Milanovic.
Head coach Giancarlo Italiano cut a frustrated figure post-match.
\u201cI\u2019m disappointed,\u201d Italiano told media. \u201cI thought we should have held out.
\u201cI think the boys merited, especially in the second half, a win.
\u201cThere was good energy first 15\/20 minutes. Even towards the end there, we had a couple of good chances but couldn\u2019t capitalise.
\u201cBut credit to them, they\u2019re a good team, they throw numbers forward very quickly, very dangerously.
\u201cI thought we alleviated that threat the first half. Second half we were a little bit more spent physically, especially the last 10.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2207422851.jpg?w=1200\")
Italiano made four changes to the XI which started the 1-1 draw with Sydney FC before the international break with Piper, Hideki Ishige, Kazuki Nagasawa and Luke Brooke-Smith replacing suspended captain Alex Rufer and the injured trio of Scott Wootton, Paulo Retre and Isaac Hughes. Tim Payne led the Phoenix in Rufer\u2019s absence. It was a cagey start to the match with few attacking opportunities for either side. He slotted home into an unguarded net after a well-placed cutback from Milanovic, who drew Oluwayemi out of his goal at the near post. Geraldes put Wellington back in front in the 69th<\/sup> minute with a well-taken goal. The final pass came from Kosta Barbarouses moving him clear at the top as the A-League\u2019s all-time assist leader with 46.
Payne also deputised at centre back, alongside Matt Sheridan, with Piper and Sam Sutton the two fullbacks.
\u201cI was very happy with our makeshift backline. Having Shez and Payney as my two centre backs, and I thought Corbs defended well for large parts as well.
\u201cI was happy that we built on the week before.
\u201cYou could see there were glimpses against Sydney of Chico, Kosta, Rufs coming back. My worry was today that we had a lot of players that had different loading, but very happy with the effort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2207435857.jpg?w=1200\")
Milanovic created the first chance out of nothing in the ninth minute when he turned and volleyed to draw a good reflex save from Josh Oluwayemi.
The Phoenix scored from the next shot on target in the 21st<\/sup> minute with Piper giving Wellington the lead when he met a left-wing corner from Hideki Ishige with a thumping header.
Western Sydney had a good period after going behind with Bozhidar Kraev shooting over the bar after finding some space outside the penalty area before Zach Sapsford had a shot deflect wide of goal.
Chico Geraldes also had a blasted a shot over Wanderers\u2019 goal from distance before Kraev drew the visitors\u2019 level in the 36th<\/sup> minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2207434032.jpg?w=1200\")
The Nix threatened to level almost immediately with Western Sydney \u2018keeper Lawrence Thomas doing well to keep out a dangerous left-wing corner from Ishige.
Back down the other end of the pitch Oluwayemi also did well to keep out a powerful effort from Socceroo Brandon Borrello to ensure it remained level at halftime.
Wellington made a strong start to the second with Geraldes producing a spectacular volley from long-range that drew a good save from Thomas.
The Phoenix earned a free-kick soon after and Wanderers did well to scramble clear the initial danger before blocking Brooke-Smith\u2019s follow up.
Ishige drew another save from Thomas shortly before the hour mark and the Nix managed to deny Western Sydney clear goalscoring opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2207434161.jpg?w=1200\")
Western Sydney had a good spell after going behind with Milanovic a constant threat.
He produced a stinging long-range shot that Oluwayemi managed to push around his near post and then shot wide of goal after being slipped in behind by Kraev.
Milanovic made no mistake in the 89th<\/sup> minute when he cut into the box and smashed a shot into the back of the net.
Both sides had chances in time added on.
Oluwayemi made a good save to deny Wanderers substitute Marcus Antonsson before Piper shot over the bar from six yards out after a left-wing cross from Barbarouses narrowly missed the head of Nathan Walker, who was one of two Nix players to come off the bench in the second half.
The final whistle blew soon after with the two sides unable to be separated.
The Wellington Phoenix are back across the Tasman next week to play Newcastle Jets.<\/p>\n\n\n