Wellington Phoenix extended their lead at the top of the A-League ladder by defeating Brisbane Roar 2-1 in a match which had to be abandoned after 73 minutes.

Stormy conditions meant that the contest could no longer continue due to safety fears, although under league rules the result still stands to ensure that the Nix move four points clear at the summit.

Ernie Merrick's charges had to do it the hard way, though, as Andrija Kaludjerovic took just six minutes to give the home side an early lead when he kept his cool to convert at the end of a Corey Brown pass.

Having struck the crossbar through Andrew Durante's headed attempt, Phoenix continued to pile on the pressure and they were rewarded when Michael McGlinchey tapped home from close range to level things up.

Wellington, who remain unbeaten this year following a run of five wins and one draw, edged ahead prior to the half-time interval thanks to Nathan Burns's strike, which came after Roy Krishna had himself struck the post.

McGlinchey saw a chance to double his personal tally pass him by on the hour mark, while Krishna dragged a shot wide of goal as the conditions inside the Suncorp Stadium worsened.

With 17 minutes left to play, officials took the decision to abandon the game due to the waterlogged pitch, meaning a first ever victory away at Brisbane for the league leaders.