The Melbourne Victory have scored their second win of the Hyundai A-League season with a hard-fought 2-1 triumph over the Mariners at Central Coast Stadium on Friday night.
Adrian Leijer knocked in the match-winner in the 80th minute, and the Victory then withstood a determined Mariners attack that rocketed no less than five shots at goal in the dying minutes of the game.
It was Central Coast who took the early lead with a goal to Dean Heffernan, but a 72nd-minute goal gave the visitors the equaliser, courtesy of striker Archie Thompson.
Thompson and fellow striker Daniel Allsopp threatened the Mariners all game with blinding speed and effective set plays, the pair key to the victory.
The Mariners didn't have to wait long for an opportunity after Tom Pondeljak was awarded a free kick five metres outside the box in the opening minute. The shot was a powerful one, but a deflection off the Melbourne wall meant goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic wasn't challenged.
Thompson brought out the tricks in the seventh minute, his handy footwork getting the better of Central Coast's Alex Wilkinson. After beating the full back twice, Thompson had a shot, but a last-ditch effort from Wayne O'Sullivan deflected the attempt.
Melbourne dominated possession in the first half, the home side unable to complete effective passes or keep the ball in the attacking zone.
A yellow card to O'Sullivan in the 24th minute gave the visitors a prime attacking opportunity, but debutant keeper Danny Vukovic was in control.
Heffernan's goal was a much needed boost for the home side, his header coming from a John Hutchinson chip into the box after the Mariners were awarded a penalty. Galekovic tried his luck by storming the ball, but he missed his chance, leaving the goal wide open.
The opening stages of the second half produced a lot more free-flowing play, with both sides creating a number of chances.
Vukovic found himself under pressure in the 62nd minute when he was faced with a one-on-one confrontation with Victory midfielder Michael Ferrante. But the young keeper kept his cool and produced a brilliant charging header to save the goal.
It wasn't long before the pressure was back on the 'keeper, with Thompson taking a shot at goal from the dot after Victory skipper Kevin Muscat was brought down inside the area.
Brilliantly reading the kick, Vukovic deflected the penalty, but Thompson powered home the second attempt to level the scores.
Chris Tadrosse then miraculously found Leijer in the middle of three yellow shirts, the full back's header finding the back of the net.
The Mariners had a prime opportunity to again level the scores when striker Stewart Petrie put in a perfectly weighted cross for Adam Kwasnik, but his shot just scraped the cross bar.
The home side did everything it could in the five minutes of injury time, but the Victory defence held out for the win.