QUEENSLAND Roar were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their season-opener in New Zealand yesterday after twice being denied by Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss in the dying stages.

Queensland dominated the game at Westpac Stadium but departed Wellington disappointed with the result knowing that at least another two goals would have been a fairer reward for their effort.

Moss was the late hero for the Phoenix, in the closing stages brilliantly turning away striker Serginho van Dijk's 86th-minute attempt and then blocking Michael Zullo's one-on-one strike in stoppage time.

Scottish import Charlie Miller had earlier given the Roar the lead with his goal in 46th minute, before Phoenix marksman Shane Smeltz equalised in the 53rd.

Queensland coach Frank Farina was disappointed with the way his team allowed the Phoenix to level so soon after his team had taken the lead.

"I think we were a better team, we created a few chances but we couldn't finish them off," Farina said.

In a scoreless first half, Queensland threatened the Phoenix goal three times, the closest chance being Tim Smits's header from Danny Tiatto's cross hitting the outside of the net in the eighth minute.

The Phoenix had just two attempts at goal in the entire half when Leo Bertos broke through and shot straight at goalkeeper Liam Reddy and Adam Kwasnik hit the bar, both within five minutes of the interval.

The Phoenix also had two free kicks from 20 metres in the first half but Kwasnik hit both shots into the defensive wall.

Queensland took the lead when Miller calmly slotted in a cross from Dutch import van Dijk. The Phoenix responded seven minutes later when their leading scorer from last season, Smeltz, met a cross from the left and volleyed home from just inside the box.

Queensland took chances with their defence in the second half as they pushed upfield in search of goals. That opened up a few more chances for Wellington on the left where Bertos managed to get clear to fire over a few crosses.

Smeltz had Reddy fully stretched with a thunderous right-footer from 30 metres that was narrowly off target.

With neither team able to take full command in midfield, the strikers found little space, although Queensland penetrated the left side of the field where van Dijk and Miller showed some nice touches.

Of former Scottish international Miller, Farina said: "He'll get better when he picks up some fitness."

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert was happy to come away with a point. "Perhaps a typical first up [performance] of the season but we'll take the point, we're happy to come away with a point."

Adelaide United have gone to the top of the A-League table after a 1-0 victory over Perth Glory.

Captain Travis Dodd sealed the result in his 100th game for the Reds with a thumping strike in the 41st minute.

It leaves Adelaide as the only team to claim victory in the opening round of the season, with the other three games of the weekend all draws.

NZPA, AAP