Wellington Phoenix held on with 10 men for a 1-1 draw against Macarthur in the A-League on Saturday.

David Ball tapped in a James McGarry cross from the left for the opener for Wellington six minutes before half-time.

But a controversial red card to Alex Rufer shortly after the hour mark hurt the Phoenix.

The midfielder was sent off after a VAR check, judged to have lashed out at Denis Genreau.

Macarthur quickly made the most of their numerical advantage, Markel Susaeta beating Stefan Marinovic at his near post after a pass from Benat Etxebarria.

Matt Derbyshire hit the crossbar with a stoppage-time header for Macarthur who moved onto four points from three games, while Wellington remain winless through two.

The Phoenix are now winless in their past seven A-League games in New South Wales, their longest such run in the competition.