The Central Coast Mariners have recovered from a slow start to see a fast-paced encounter with Perth Glory at polytec Stadium finish up 2-2.
Perth put the Mariners under immense pressure from the start, racing to an early lead through Sebastian Despotovski and Adam Taggart before Central Coast fought back with goals from Ali Auglah and Bailey Brandtman.
Despotovski flew through the air to get his head on Jaiden Kucharski’s chipped cross in from the right to give Perth the lead after just 14 minutes.
Glory scored again just two minutes later when Giovanni De Abreu played Taggart in behind, Perth’s all-time leading goal-scorer able curl his shot around Mariners keeper Andrew Redmayne to make it 2-0.
The Mariners pulled one back before half time, Auglah placing his free kick perfectly between the upright and the outstretched hand of Perth keeper Matthew Sutton.
Both sides had excellent chances early in the second half; first Sabit Ngor saw his effort deflected out for a corner, before Kucharski struck the crossbar down the other end a minute later.
Brandtman brought the Mariners back level when he rose high at the back post to nod in Chris Donnell’s deep cross from the left.
The Glory came perilously close to getting back in front a number of times late in the match, but between the crossbar and some vintage Redmayne goalkeeping they couldn’t find a way to goal.
This result keeps the Mariners just three points out of the top six with a game in hand and keeps Perth three points off the bottom of the table.
Central Coast have a quick turn around before head down to Melbourne to take on City on Tuesday night, while Perth will host Macarthur FC next Sunday.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Perth Glory goal: Despotovski 14′
Perth Glory goal: Taggart 16′
Central Coast Mariners goal: Auglah 37′
Central Coast Mariners goal: Brandtman 66′
