Central Coast Mariners fought back from behind twice to draw 2-2 with league-leaders Auckland FC on Sunday afternoon, as 21-year-old Nicholas Duarte’s first A-Leagues goal scored in the 90th minute earned the reigning Champions a hard-earned point.
Guillermo May put Auckland ahead in the 10th minute with his eighth goal of the season but the Mariners had the better of a three-goal second half. Vitor Feijao scored his first goal in the Isuzu UTE A-League to equalise for the Mariners before Callan Elliot fired home what Auckland hoped would be the winning goal in the 77th minute.
But there was one more twist in the tale in Auckland as Duarte came off the bench to restore parity in the final minute of regular time. The 2-2 result extended Auckland’s consecutive run of draws to three games, as the Black Knights’ lead at the top of the table grew to seven points ahead of second-placed Western United’s clash with Newcastle Jets on Sunday evening.
CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
Having spurned a glorious chance to put Auckland ahead early, Jesse Randall soon turned provider for Guillermo May for the opening goal in the 10th minute at Go Media Stadium.
May’s eighth goal of the season was an unmarked header in the six-yard box; the Uruguayan met Randall’s floating delivery from the byline to put the Black Knights on top.
Thirty minutes elapsed without another goal in Auckland before Christian Theoharous tried to haul the Mariners back into the contest; set up by Haine Eames on the edge of the box, Theoharous angled a strike toward the top-left corner but fired his effort over the bar.
Central Coast continued to grow into the game as the first half ticked by and, after an early save to deny Alfie McCalmont from distance, Auckland keeper Alex Paulsen was called into action once again to gather an over-hit cross from Lucas Mauragis aimed at Alou Kuol racing into the penalty area.
Soon after Theoharous was presented with the best chance of the first half for the visitors. Picked out by Mikael Doka with a low cross to the penalty spot, Theoharous struck first-time and his effort was on target – but Paulsen came to Auckland’s rescue with a strong save.
CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
GREAT ESCAPE: 2-0 down? No worries as Western Sydney Wanderers complete dramatic comeback
Theoharous was Central Coast’s most dangerous attacking threat in the first half and after being denied by Paulsen, the winger had another crack at finding an equaliser – this time from long range. His venomous effort had Paulsen scrambling to his right but lacked the dip to drop under the crossbar.
Auckland had two chances to double their advantage late in the half but Mariners keeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen denied May’s shot from a tight angle, before Logan Rogerson headed just wide from a stoppage-time corner.
ROAR WIN: Unlikely hero delivers huge twist in race to avoid wooden spoon… on his 21st birthday!
CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
Dan Hall was back in Auckland’s starting XI for the first time since an ankle break in December and the former Mariners centre-back made a crucial block on Kuol early in the second half to divert his former teammate’s close-range effort off target.
CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
A Mariners corner just beyond the hour mark almost led to an equalising goal when Brian Kaltak rose highest to head the ball just wide of the target.
After a busy first half, Theoharous’ impact on the game had waned but, with Miguel Di Pizio readied on the touchline to replace him, the Mariners winger produced a moment of sheer quality to help get his side back on level terms.
Theoharous skipped past his midfield marker with a flicked first touch and picked out Mauragis driving down the left wing; from there, the Mariners fullback picked out Feijao in the box who scored his first Isuzu UTE A-League goal to equalise at Go Media Stadium.
Faced with the prospect of a third-consecutive draw, Auckland got back on the front foot and reclaimed their one-goal advantage just seven minutes after conceding to the Mariners.
In a continuation of a main theme of Auckland’s 2024-25 campaign, the Black Knights got back ahead via a set piece routine. Francis De Vries picked out captain Hiroki Sakai at the back post and his header back into the danger zone was met by Callan Elliot with a thumping strike past Peraic-Cullen.
In the final minute of regular time, the Mariners struck back to snatch a share of the points at Go Media Stadium.
Substitutes Abdul Faisal and Di Pizo were both involved in the build-up play and after a deflection off Sakai, fellow substitute Duarte attacked the loose ball and headed Central Coast back on level terms at 2-2, and earned his side a share of the points.
