WaiBOP United will have to put their 89th minute defeat to Team Wellington behind them as they look to get off the mark in this year's ASB Premiership against Hawke's Bay on Thursday.

Wellington left it late, but snatched a 3-2 victory over WaiBOP at a sodden Gower Park in Hamilton on Sunday.

WaiBOP United are yet to register a point this season. Photo: File.

Saul Halpin's dramatic winner decided an entertaining game which saw the visitors come from behind twice over the course of the 90 minutes.

After a cagey opening, the game burst into life when WaiBOP centre-half Adam Luque headed home a Marc Evans corner to put the home side up 1-0 up on the 15-minute mark.

Federico Marquez almost doubled the lead three minutes later but his curler was well blocked by Scott Basalaj in the Wellington goal. With the rain teeming in, Wellington got back on level terms when Andy Bevin finished neatly beyond WaiBOP goalkeeper Zac Speedy.

The second-half was also end-to-end, with the slippery conditions leading to an open encounter. Both keepers were kept busy and the defences did well to keep the scoreline down until the closing stages.

WaiBOP went in front again with 11 minutes remaining when Ryan Tinsley played in Mark Jones, who kept his composure to fire past Basalaj.

But just a minute later the scores were level once more. Wellington pressed forward straight from the restart and substitute Ben Harris knocked the ball home after a spill from Speedy in difficult conditions.

Then came the 89th minute twist when Halpin coolly claimed the winner after Wellington broke from midfield.

A lengthy period of added time was played, but the hosts couldn't snatch an equaliser of their own, even though substitute Stephen Hoyle headed narrowly wide from a late free kick.

WaiBOP now take on Hawke's Bay United at Owen Delany Park on Thursday. Hawke's Bay snatched a late 1-1 draw with Auckland City FC at QBE Stadium last week and will feel confident going into their 7.35pm match against the red and blues.

Auckland City FC currently lead the competition with four points, followed by Canterbury United, Team Wellinton and Waitakere United on three points, and Hawke's Bay United on one.

WaiBop, Southern United and Wellington Phoenix are yet to register a point.