Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti was the hero as Central Coast held on for a 0-0 draw against Perth Glory at HBF Park on Tuesday night.
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Birighitti saved a first-half penalty to deny Bruno Fornaroli, with Glory unable to find a winner despite dominating the shot count 21-6.
The result extended Glory’s winless run to six matches, leaving them on the bottom of the ladder.
Central Coast stay in eighth spot and are five points adrift of the top six.
Perth created chances galore in an entertaining opening half that also featured some controversial moments.
Glory goalkeeper Brad Jones produced a sharp double save in the fourth minute to deny Beni Nkololo and Noah Smith, but from that point on it was all the home side.
Midfielder Giordano Colli was denied by the crossbar in the 14th minute after unleashing a curling free kick from a tight angle. Two minutes later Glory players were left fuming when a penalty wasn’t awarded for a clear handball from Jason Cummings.
Cummings had his hands away from the body when the ball struck them and rebounded away, with even the VAR not awarding a penalty.
But justice arrived a minute later when a penalty was awarded – coincidentally against Cummings – for clipping Jack Clisby as the Glory defender charged into the box.
Fornaroli stepped up to the plate, but Birighitti dived to his right and stuck down his right hand to keep out the low drive.
Glory ended the half winning the shots stats (10-2), possession (58 per cent) and corners (8-3), but the scoreline read 0-0.
The second half was far less frenetic, with Birighitti pulling off another important save to deny a Josh Rawlins header in the 71st minute.
Chances were few and far between for the Mariners, with the visitors unable to penetrate for long periods.
The Mariners were dealt a blow before the match when German Nicolai Muller was forced into COVID protocols.
