A bizarre own goal has seen Central Coast snatch a 2-2 draw against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park, stretching their unbeaten streak to four games.
In a match which see-sawed over the 90 minutes, the Mariners took an early lead through a 28th- minute goal from Daniel McBreen before the home side took control in the second half thanks to two goals is as many minutes from Rody Vargas and Carlos Hernandez.
Victory looked well on the path to their first win in three matches, until bad luck conspired against them in the 78th minute. A clearance from a Grant Brebner corner ricocheted in off keeper Michael Petkovic's boot, although the referee awarded the own goal to the unfortunate Brebner.
It was a typically efficient performance from the Mariners, who only had two shots on target for the evening, but still emerged with a point to consolidate their position in third on the table.
They now back-up against top-placed Brisbane Roar on Sunday with their confidence intact after three wins and a draw in the past four.
The Victory have the weekend off to reflect on a game which they dominated in terms of possession and chances, but only seriously looked venomous in a three-minute period midway through the second half.
Luck was against them, but their continued inability to covert a greater share of the ball onto the scoreboard will give them plenty to think about ahead of Saturday week's game in Wellington against the Phoenix.
Melbourne Victory 2 (Vargas 62, Hernandez 64)
Central Coast Mariners 2 (McBreen 28, Brebner 78og)
Crowd: 9674 at AAMI Park