Adelaide United have put themselves back in contention for the Premiers' Plate after sealing a 2-1 victory over the Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium in Thursday's A-League encounter.
The Mariners' Fabio Ferreira had a chance within the first five minutes to punish his former club when he cut inside Michael Marrone to unleash a shot, but his effort glided just over the bar.
The game was evenly poised with both sides causing a threat at either end, but it was the Mariners who struck first when Anthony Caceres's 20-yard shot nestled into the back of the net.
The visitors' lead didn't last long, though, as one minute later Marcelo Carrusca dodged past Mariners shirts to get into the box and fire a shot into goal to draw level.
As the half went on, both created opportunities to strike and Carrusca came close again just minutes before the break, but his long-range effort missed the target.
Adelaide came out in the second half with attacking intent as Sergio Cirio had an early shot palmed away by Liam Reddy.
The home side were eventually rewarded with a slice of luck when Craig Goodwin's shot deflected high off Zac Anderson and behind the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
Adelaide were able to see the game out and move themselves into joint second in the ladder.
Danielle Joynson
