Mariners nick late point as Glory fume

Perth Glory and the Central Coast Mariners played out a 1-1 draw on a very warm evening at nib Stadium, though the home side can feel hard done by having conceded a late equaliser in controversial circumstances after referee Gerard Parsons failed to spot a clear foul.

Glory got off to a dream start after just four minutes when Robbie Fowler’s corner from the left hand was superbly turned in by defender Josh Mitchell who connected with a superb flick that, with the aid of a deflection, looped over Matt Ryan in the Mariners goal.

The visitors had a decent chance to restore parity just minutes later but Pedj Bojic fired over from the edge of the area after the Glory defence had half cleared a corner.

Pellegrino broke from midfield and fired in a left foot drive that flew past Ryan’s post. Glory suffered a blow on 19 minutes when stand in skipper Scott Neville was forced off through injury and he was replaced by Tommy Amphlett.

The Mariners had a great opportunity to draw level after 26 minutes when Matt Simon was played in on goal but he screwed his finish horribly wide with just Tando Velaphi to beat.

Both sides created half chances but none that really looked like adding a second goal to the contest so Glory went into the half time break a goal to the good.

Perth almost got off to the flying start to the second half but Robbie Folwer headed over the bar from six yards when it was easier to score following Adriano Pellegrino’s cross from the right.

The introduction of Daniel MacBreen created more of a goal threat for the Mariners, but the better chances fell to Glory as Anthony Skorich shot wide and Steve McGarry’s 25 yard shot went straight at Ryan.

Central Coast finally drew level with just two minutes remaining when Patrick Zwaanswijk headed home from close range; however there was more than a slight suspicion of a foul on Josh Risdon by Daniel McBreen who provided the knock down for the Dutch defender to score.

Glory boss Ian Ferguson was understandably angry on the sideline as his side would have been good value for the win.

Fowler came close to claiming all three points for the home side in stoppage time but his free kick from 20 yards went just over with Ryan beaten.

Perth Glory: T Velaphi, J Coyne, J Mitchell, R Fowler, S McGarry, H Fondyke, A Pellegrino, J Harnwell, S Neville, J Risdon, A Skorich.

Subs: R Pearson, T Amphlett, B Jelic, A Jukic.

Central Coast Mariners: M Ryan, J Rose, P Bojic, P Zwaanswijk, R Griffiths, O Bozanic, M McGlinchey, A Wilkinson, M Simon, M Amini, A Kwasnik.

Subs: P Henderson, D McBreen, P Perez, C Doig.