A spectacular volley from Central Coast midfielder John Hutchinson fired the Mariners to the top of the A-League table at Gosford on Wednesday night.
Hutchinson powered home a brilliant strike in the 80th minute to give the Mariners a hard-fought win over Perth Glory at Bluetongue Stadium.
It was Hutchinson-s second goal of the season, but without doubt one of his most important goals for the club.
He picked up the ball and fired a shot from 25m. The ball struck the left post and then rolled across the goal line before hitting the right post and going in.
The victory means the Mariners leapfrog Adelaide into top spot.
Hutchinson-s strike highlighted was what a lacklustre performance from the home side.
The Mariners dominated the first half with chances falling to strikers Nik Mrdja and Sasho Petrovski, but Perth goalkeeper Tando Velapi was rarely required to make a safe.
Perhaps the first chance was the best of the half when Petrovski fired a left foot shot on to the post with Velapi beaten.
In the following minute Mrdja had a chance but could not control a bouncing ball and failed to get a shot on target. For the next 20 minutes the Mariners dominated possession and created several more good chances.
Hutchinson sent a diving header over the bar, while Mrdja had a low shot well saved in the 39th minute.
Perth, desperate for a win to keep its finals hopes alive, came out with more enthusiasm in the second half but rarely threatened Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.
It was a match the Mariners had to win. Replacement Andre Gumprecht gave the home team some much needed spark when he came on in the 76th minute.
The defeat all but ends Perth-s hopes of reaching the finals.
