Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert has had his three-match touchline ban reduced to just one match with a further match suspended.

The Phoenix boss was ejected from the technical area by referee Peter O'Leary in his side's last-gasp win over Adelaide United on Sunday for arguing with the official regarding the positioning of a throw-in.

Initially, Herbert was to be sent to the stands for three matches but the New Zealand club decided to appeal the severity of the ban and the A-League Disciplinary Committee downgraded the sanction to one match with one match suspended.

Phoenix chief executive Nathan Greenham said the club was satisfied with the result of the appeal.

"This is by no means an admission of guilt on the part of Ricki Herbert and the club, but it was felt important to put the matter behind us and to get on with our season," he said.