A series of defensive blunders made for a hard to swallow loss for a ten man Central Coast Mariners as they were bested 2-1 by the Western Sydney Wanderers.

However, for all their defensive woes there was silver lining. Former Liverpool star and latest signing Luis Garcia provided the Mariners with a crucial assist in the 66^th as the Spaniard took to the pitch in an attempt orchestrate a late comeback.

The first half however belonged to the visitors, with the first chance arriving in the 10^th. Romeo Castelen rose to meet a free header off a corner straight from the training ground, only for the former Dutch international to send it shockingly wide.

The visitors wouldn’t have to wait long for another chance as the Mariner’s defensive cracks began to show. Storm Roux played a limp ball back to his keeper which Mark Bridge pounced on, slotting the ball neatly into Izzo’s net taking the lead for the Wanderers in the 12^th.

Dario Vidosic almost doubled their advantage when his headed effort rattled the post of Izzo’s goal in the 18^th, much to the relief of the home fans.

Countless stray balls fell helplessly to red shirts and when Scott Jamieson was able to pounce and whip in an early low cross into the box in the 32^nd minute Izzo again rose to the occasion.

The Wanderers attack was having a field day.

Castelen, Bridge, Nichols and Vidosic linked up effortlessly as the quartet looked to be having fun amongst an almost non-existent Mariners defence. Yet for all their control they struggled to expand their lead.

Central Coast’s best and only chance came before the half after Ferreira managed to wiggle away from Alberto to tee up Austin only for the winger to have his shot blocked by Scott Neville.

The Mariners returned from the sheds with a far more physical presence in the hope of a better second half stint.

Austin and Ferreira managed to trouble the visitors penalty box but with little goal scoring threat.

Marquee signing Luis Garcia took to the field for the Central Coast Mariners in the 60th minute and would almost instantly change the fortunes of his new team.

The Spaniards first touch seamlessly played in Austin in the 63^rd only for the winger to squander his final ball deep past the far post. Yet, his presence lifted the collective play of the Mariners as they went searching for the equalizer.

And they wouldn’t have to wait long as Luis Garcia shrugged off the Wanderers’ midfield to effortlessly dispatch Austin who made no mistake squaring to Ferreira as the striker found the equalizer in the 66^th.

The last 20 minutes provided a heated frenzy as both teams went in search for the lead. A Mariners free kick was wasted by Ferreira.

A clearly frustrated Nick Montgomery was sent off for a reckless challenge on Mebrahtu in the 78^th.

Despite their better second half efforts the defensive lapses evident in the first half returned into the Mariners’ play.

Western Sydney’s attacking line pressured the Mariners on the ball and Santalab pounced on a deflected cross by Izzo to steal all three points in the 83^rd minute.

A frustrating, self inflicted 2-1 loss for the Central Coast Mariners was the end result, Western Sydney Wanderers breaking their winless drought of three matches to go top of the Hyundai A-League table.