Central Coast Mariners sensationally fought back from a three-goal half-time deficit to deny Perth Glory in a 3-3 thriller at nib Stadium on Saturday night.
The contest looked to be over at the break after Adam Taggart’s brace helped the hosts to a commanding lead, but Paul Okon’s side launched an extraordinary comeback in the new man’s first match in charge.
After Roy O’Donovan cut the deficit, Mariners goalkeeper Ivan Necevski made a pair of crucial saves to keep the away side in the hunt.
Central Coast continued to push forward in search of an unlikely result and got their reward with a fortuitous Liam Reddy own goal and a second for O’Donovan capping the incredible comeback.
Catch up with all the action at our official match centre here.
GOALS
1-0 Glory: Taggart, 3’
Receiving a quick free-kick on the left, Spanish superstar Diego Castro curled a perfect cross onto the head of an unmarked Taggart who made no mistake.
2-0 Glory: Taggart 27’
Taggart darted away from Jacques Faty’s shoulder for a second time before coolly turning Marc Warren’s whipped delivery back across Ivan Necevski.
3-0 Glory: Castro, 35’
Faty was again the culprit as he impeded the path of Chris Harold in the area, allowing Castro to dispatch the third from the spot.
3-1 Mariners: O’Donovan, 56’
Trent Buhagiar raced onto Storm Roux’s pass and directed a smart ball across the face for O’Donovan to tap home.
3-2 Mariners: Reddy OG, 84’
Warren’s clearance from Kwabena Appiah’s first-time finish ricochets off the head of Liam Reddy and into the back of the net.
3-3 Mariners: O’Donovan, 86’
Rhys Williams was adjudged to have pulled down O’Donovan off the ball, leaving the Irish striker to bury a firm equaliser from the spot.
@ALeague, @PerthGloryFC, @CCMariners, #PERvCCM
