Sydney FC goalkeeper Clint Bolton pulled off some injury time heroics to deny Central Coast from the penalty spot in a scoreless draw at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford on Saturday.
Adam Kwasnik had the chance to win it after Mariners midfielder John Hutchinson was fouled in the 90th minute.
Sung-Hwan Byun and Simon Colosimo fouled Hutchinson before Bolton denied Kwasnik with a diving save to his right.
The goalkeeper was required again with only seconds remaining when he saved a low shot from Dylan Macallister.
Bolton was the hero of what was a lacklustre performance from both teams.
Former Central Coast striker John Aloisi looked certain to hit the back of the net from close range after a Sydney corner in the 76th minute, but Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic pulled off a brilliant reflex save to deny his former teammate.
It was one of best chances of what was a disappointing performance from both teams.
Matches between Central Coast and Sydney often develop into classics but there was nothing spectacular about this round three showdown in front of 10,029 spectators.
Sydney had most of the play in the first half but could not find the back of the net, while the Mariners, despite coming into the match in the second stanza, rarely troubled Bolton.
Against Newcastle last week the Mariners created a host of chances in the first half, but it was a different story against Sydney with the visitors enjoying the better of play before the break.
Mariners defender Nigel Boogaard headed over from a corner after only two minutes but after that Sydney dominated possession and field position.
Alex Brosque had a low shot well saved by Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic in the fifth minute and several other half chances were also created by Sydney.
Sydney’s two best chances of the first half came just before the break with Karol Kisel and big defender Stephan Keller both having great chances to open the scoring.
Kisel struck a powerful shot just over the bar in the 38th minute and three minutes later Keller had perhaps the best chance of the first half, heading over the bar after a Sydney corner.
The Mariners would have gone into the break happy to be on level terms but disappointed with their performance. Sydney created enough but lacked the finishing touch in front of goal.
The Mariners came into the game more then in the second half but both sides still failed to impress in front of the goals.
The final 15 minutes were without doubt the most exciting of the match with both sides pushing forward in a desperate bid to open the scoring.
Central Coast 0
Sydney FC 0
Crowd 10,029
