Scott McDonald fires Brisbane Roar into A-League top four

Brisbane veteran Scott McDonald’s third goal in two matches secured the Roar a 1-0 win over Central Coast.

Brisbane Roar’s Scott McDonald celebrates his goal against Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane veteran Scott McDonald’s third goal in two matches secured the Roar a 1-0 win over Central Coast on Friday.

The 36-year-old’s strike in first-half stoppage time, awarded following a VAR decision to overturn an offside flag, was enough for the Roar in front of a largely deserted Suncorp Stadium.

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Public concerns about the coronavirus outbreak clearly had an impact on the attendance, with an official attendance of 4121 at the 52,500 capacity venue. The crowd figure eclipses the previous lowest A-League attendance at Suncorp Stadium of 5150, for the Mariners’ visit to Brisbane in October 2010.

The win lifts Robbie Fowler’s team above Perth Glory into fourth on the ladder, albeit ahead of Glory’s match against Sydney FC on Saturday. It’s the highest position so far this season for the Roar, who remain unbeaten at home in 2020.

It also extends the Roar’s unbeaten run against the Mariners in the A-League to 18 games.

The defeat was the Mariners’ ninth in a row and leaves them rooted to the bottom of the A-League ladder and in real danger of a third-straight wooden spoon.

It was also harsh on Alen Stajcic’s team, who twice forced Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young into sharp saves in the first half before McDonald’s sucker punch right on halftime.

Chris Harold and Danny De Silva were the men to come closest for the Mariners, who will be out to avoid a 10th-straight defeat when they host Melbourne City next Friday.

Brisbane are on the road next weekend against Melbourne Victory.

AAP