Late goal stretches Mariners’ win drought

A late Simon Cox goal denied Central Coast their first win in more than six months.

Wanderers goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast deflects the ball away from a challenge from Mariners forward Matt Simon. Picture: Getty Images

A late Simon Cox goal denied Central Coast their first win in more than six months, with the Mariners having to settle for 1-1 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers in Gosford on Monday night.

Having ended a run of 11 successive losses with a 0-0 draw last week against Newcastle, the Mariners were seemingly headed for victory for the first time since January 12 thanks to a 59th-minute Milan Duric strike.

But the Wanderers spoiled the Central Coast party in the 88th minute when substitute Cox headed home a cross from Western Sydney captain Mitchell Duke.

While it wasn’t the win they were looking for, the Wanderers kept their slim hopes alive of making the A-League finals series.

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However, ninth-placed Western Sydney will need to significantly improve on the performance if they are to seriously challenge for a top-six berth.

For the last-placed Mariners, the search for a win continues but they will at least take some confidence into their final match of the season against fellow strugglers Melbourne Victory on August 3.

Mariners goalkeeper Mark Birighitti was called into action after just five minutes, tipping a goal-bound Tate Russell strike over the crossbar.

Milan Duric celebrates scoring for the Mariners against Western Sydney Wanderers at Central Coast Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

The Wanderers continued to attack, with Nicolai Muller blowing a golden chance in the 13th minute when he failed to control an inch-perfect Duke pass that put the German in an ideal position to unleash a shot.

The Mariners slowly worked their way into the contest, with only the woodwork denying them the lead in the 26th minute when a deflected shot from classy midfielder Duric crashed into the crossbar.

From the subsequent corner the Mariners had another chance when midfielder Josh Nisbet pounced on a loose ball that was unconvincingly punched away by Wanderers goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast.

However, Nisbet couldn’t control his shot, which flew wide of the post.

Having held firm against the Mariners’ charge, the Wanderers had the final chance of the first half when striker Mo Adam rattled the crossbar with a crisp shot after being set up by Duke.

The Mariners had genuine claims for a penalty in the 57th minute when Wanderers defender Patrick Ziegler shoved Sam Silvera in the back when the Central Coast young gun seemed certain to score.

But referee Chris Beath waved play on, much to the Mariners’ disgust.

However, the Mariners’ mood changed for the better two minutes later when they went ahead through Duric.

Playing as a left-back, former Socceroos winger Tommy Oar started with a deep cross that picked out Matt Simon.

The powerful striker then showed rare finesse in knocking the ball into the path of Duric, who guided the ball home from close range.

However, Cox’s late header broke Mariners’ hearts when that elusive win was only minutes away.

NCA Newswire