Central Coast Mariners have heaped more misery on bitter rivals Newcastle Jets with a polished 2-0 win in Gosford on Sunday afternoon.
Goals either side of half-time from Nick Montgomery and Fabio Ferreira gave the Mariners their first win in seven meetings against the Jets, who slip back to last.
It was a tense opening between the competition’s bottom two sides until Montgomery settled the hosts’ nerves with a well-taken finish from the edge of the area.
Ferreira capped a slick counter-attack shortly after half-time to give Paul Okon’s side a deserved two-goal buffer.
Newcastle created numerous openings throughout the final 15 minutes but fired a blank for the fourth match in a row, meaning they’ll need a result away to Sydney FC next weekend to be a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.
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GOALS
1-0 Mariners: Montgomery, 32’
The Central Coast captain provided the inspiration from the edge of the area, driving Connor Pain’s layoff into the bottom corner.
2-0 Mariners: Ferreira, 51’
From a Jets corner, the Mariners broke down the left through Connor Pain who squared for Ferreira to touch past Jack Duncan.
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