Central Coast Mariners claimed their first A-League Men’s win of 2022, defeating bottom-placed Brisbane 2-1 in a drought-ending triumph in Gosford on Saturday.
Second-half goals to Beni N’Kololo and Nikolai Muller sealed the much-needed victory for the Mariners, who snapped their league-worst 20-match winless streak against the Roar.
Roar striker Juan Lescano’s 69th-minute diving header from a pin-point Jay O’Shea cross ended up being a mere consolation for the visitors at Central Coast Stadium.
The result also ends a remarkable eight-year hoodoo for the Mariners against the Roar, ending the longest unbeaten run of any team against another in ALM history.
Defeat means the Roar, who featured captain Tom Aldred for the first time this season, remain in last place after 13 matches having failed to win so far this season on the road.
Scottish-born forward Jason Cummings was denied an opener in the 33rd minute when some last gasp defending by Scott Neville denied the Mariners forward as he tried to slide a loose ball into an empty net from close range.
Neville got to the ball in the nick of time and cleared, with Cummings picking up a booking for catching the Roar defender with his sliding challenge.
Moments later the Roar nearly stole a half-time lead when Luke Ivanovic’s header hit the post, but the Mariners survived that scare to take control of the game early in the second half.
The hosts hit the front in the 49th minute when Frenchman N’Kololo latched onto Cumming’s floated pass and fired home across Roar goalkeeper Jordan Holmes.
German midfielder Muller then extended the lead in the 55th minute with his first goal for the Mariners and first in the A-Leagues since April last year.
After Henry Hore tripped Jacob Farrell on the edge of the penalty area, Muller’s free-kick came off Roar midfielder O’Shea’s head to leave Holmes stranded.
Lescano emphatically headed home O’Shea’s cross for the Argentinian’s second goal of the season to set up a nervy finish for the hosts.
The Mariners’ habit of conceding late goals nearly struck again in the 73rd minute when Roar substitute Nicholas Olsen’s effort was turned onto the post by milestone goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
Nick Montgomery’s team held on for the three points despite Brisbane throwing everyone forward in the dying minutes, including skipper Aldred.
