The Phoenix opened the scoring in the 20th minute of Sunday's match at Perry Park when Isabel Cox nailed a close-range header from a dangerous corner.Â
But scores were level in the 34th minute when Wellington goalkeeper Ryley Foster made a horror mistake.
After receiving the ball from a teammate, Foster tried to play her way out of trouble but gave up possession to Yallop, who immediately chipped her shot into the open net from long range.
34' | Tameka Yallop scores the equaliser to level things up at Perry Park � pic.twitter.com/ZdL5IzK1F1— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) January 7, 2024
It marked Yallop's first ALW goal since netting three times for the Roar in the 2019/20 campaign.
Yallop headed to England and Norway after that, but she returned to Brisbane this season and was key to their victory on Sunday.
Brisbane needed just 21 seconds in the second half to score their second goal.
Sharn Freier bolted down the left before crossing into the box, where the running Kijah Stephenson slammed home the goal.Â
It proved to be the winning moment, with the Roar tasting victory for the first time in nine games.Â
The result lifted Brisbane into eighth on the ladder, while the Phoenix have slipped to fourth spot.
In Sunday's other afternoon game, Sydney FC fought out a 0-0 draw against the Mariners at Central Coast Stadium.Â
The Mariners posted 17 shots to Sydney's eight, but they couldn't hit the back of the net.
Mariners midfielder Bianca Galic had the best chance of the game when the ball was crossed to her in the box in the first half, but her low drive was well saved by goalkeeper Jada Whyman.
Jada Whyman with a brilliant foot save to keep us scoreless in the opening 45 🔥#SydneyIsSkyBlue | #CCMvSYD pic.twitter.com/1PmuTQlOpa— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) January 7, 2024
Sydney have now posted four draws and a win from their past five games.
Sunday's result lifted the defending champions to equal on points with fourth-placed Wellington, while the Mariners are four points further adrift in ninth spot.
The final game of the round will pit Perth Glory up against the lowly Western Sydney at Macedonia Park in Perth.Â
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