LOWER HUTT, New Zealand (Interstat) — Wellington Phoenix II edged Auckland FC II 3-2 Friday at Fraser Park, answering an early Auckland goal with a first-half surge and then holding off a second-half response. Auckland FC II opened the scoring in the 30th minute, but Wellington Phoenix II equalized in the 40th and took the lead with a goal in first-half stoppage time. Auckland FC II pulled level again in the 47th minute, only for Wellington Phoenix II to score the decisive goal in the 61st. The teams traded goals in a lively contest, and Wellington Phoenix II protected its one-goal margin through the remaining half-hour. Wellington Phoenix II improved to 1-3-1 in the competition and overall, while Auckland FC II dropped to 0-4-1 in the competition and overall. Auckland FC II remained winless across all competitions after another close match, and Wellington Phoenix II secured its first competition victory of the season.