Nikita Rukavytsya scored in stoppage time to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory for the Western Sydney Wanderers over Melbourne City in Wednesday's A-League encounter.

The win was only the Wanderers' second in the entire season as they bid to move themselves up from the bottom of the ladder.

City had the bulk of possession in the early stages of the first half, which eventually led to the first chance of the game through an Aaron Mooy free kick.

Patrick Kisnorbo managed to get a head to it with a diving run, but his effort clattered off the crossbar and back into open play.

On the 27-minute mark, Mooy was involved again as he sent the ball into the box to find the head of Mate Dugandzic, but the Wanderers goalkeeper was able to punch the ball clear.

It fell towards Safuwan Baharudin, who headed the ball into the roof of the net to give the visitors a slender lead.

Ten minutes later, the Wanderers responded when Mateo Poljak latched on to a rebound and slid the ball into the bottom corner of the net to draw level.

At the other end, Robert Koren had the chance to give City the lead again when he attempted to squeeze the ball past the keeper, but his effort bounced off the post.

After the break, City continued to knock on the door and they were eventually rewarded when Mooy's free kick flew over the wall and bounced into the back of the net, passing goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis.

The visitors seemed in control of play, but with 10 minutes to go, Wanderers were given a penalty when Connor Chapman brought down Tomi Juric in the box, and the latter stepped up and slotted the ball through.

Tensions ran high as the match came to its closing stages and City went a man down when Chapman was given a straight red card after man-handling the referee when a free kick was given against him for tackling Yojiro Takahagi.

Five minutes of injury time were added and the home side were able to make it count when Rukavytsya volleyed the ball into the back of the net to snatch all three points.