Central Coast Mariners coach Paul Okon bemoaned the “disappointing” defending which contributed to his side’s late 2-1 loss at home to Adelaide United.
The hosts looked on track for a second straight victory when Wout Brama’s penalty gave them a 1-0 lead at the interval.
But second half strikes from Daniel Adlung and Ryan Kitto took the shine off last weekend’s win over Sydney FC and left the Mariners outside the top six.
“There are going to be times in games where you aren’t going to be able to dominate for whatever reason,” Okon said at his post-match press conference.
“I think we could have done better on both goals. We needed to deal with those two situations better.
“If you don’t, in the end, it doesn’t matter what time the goals come, they’re going to cost you.”
Already missing the suspended Alan Baro and New Zealand international Storm Roux, the Mariners’ defensive concerns when compounded when Josh Rose suffered a calf injury in the warm-up.
However, Okon said that was no excuse.
“At stages throughout the competition you’re going to be missing key players,” he said.
” That was the case tonight and we just have to deal with it.”
