The Central Coast Mariners slim Premiership hopes were kept alive for another week as they managed a 1-0 victory over Brisbane Roar at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The result stops Western Sydney from claiming the Premiership for at least a weak, while also sealing a week off and second place for the Mariners.
Brisbane Roar's stability helped them get off to a good start as Steve Lustica and Stefan Nijland both having half-chances early on.
Midway through the half the Mariners came in to the match and they were denied by some superb work by Michael Theo in the 24th minute as he saved a point blank Daniel McBreen header before Bernie Ibini put the rebound over the bar.
That was a warning of things to come and in the 35th minute Ibini had a goal as Nick Montogomery found the striker who bamboozled the defenders and shot from the edge of the area beating Theo at the near post.
The Mariners were spurred on by the goal and moments later Michael McGlinchey was denied by an incredible Theo save before McBreen hit the post with his effort as the Mariners dominated the closing stages of the half.
The second half took some time to get going but when it did, 17 minutes in, it was thrilling as Josh Rose's cross was miscued by McGlinchey allowing Brisbane to counter through Nijland, whose one-on-one was denied by Mat Ryan.
The wind picked up in the second half and that wrecked havoc with crosses making it hard for the teams to create chances but as time went on Brisbane became the more likely team.
Nijland made the home fans nervous in the 72nd minute with his free-kick hitting the woodwork before Mitch Nichols forced a good save out of Ryan moments later.
Brisbane kept pushing late but the Mariners finally looked like the Mariners of a month ago as they held firm for a 1-0 victory.
The result means the Mariners are still a mathematical shot at winning the Premiership, although they will need a lot of help from big rivals Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets to stop the Wanderers juggernaut.
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