The Central Coast Mariners returned to the winners list this weekend with a hard fought 1-nil result over Western Sydney Wanderers at home in Gosford.
Both teams were anxious for a win to stay in touch with league leaders Wellington Phoenix.
The Wanderers were the first to come close to scoring with a shot in the middle of the first half that drew a great save from mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic. Danny deflected the shot with his right hand onto the crossbar.
The Mariners then took the ball all the way to the other end of the field for a chance of their own that saw a shot from Bailey Brandtman go high and wide to the left.
The Mariners had a great chance late in the first half from a corner. Max Balard took the corner with Brian Kaltack getting a great header that saw the ball slam the right-hand upright before going back into general play.
Score was 0-0 at half-time.
The second half started the same way as the first half ended.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 83rd minute when the Mariners were awarded a penalty. Mariners substitute Ronald Barcellos responded quickest to a loose ball, only for Wanderers player Gabriel Cleur to foul Barcellos from behind. Mikael Doka stepped up and calmly converted the penalty.
The Mariners continued to pressure the Wanderers end of the field while the Wanderers tried to penetrate the Mariners defence.
The Mariners held on during the 8 minutes of extra time to earn another win and a clean sheet.
The Mariners Men's next A-League fixture is against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Sunday, 25th February with kick-off scheduled for 5pm.