Nick Fitzgerald fires Central Coast Mariners second

Central Coast Mariners have climbed to second in the A-League ladder after recording their first win of the season.

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Nick Fitzgerald's long-range opener, which came after just two minutes, was enough for the Mariners to earn all three points against Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium.

The hosts should have won by a wider margin, but substitute Matthew Simon missed two good chances to double their lead.

His first came 10 minutes from time, as he spewed a rebound over the crossbar after Mile Sterjovski's low drive had struck the inside of the post.

Simon came closer moments later, firing just wide from 10 yards.

Despite the Mariners' dominance, Adelaide almost netted an equaliser in the dying seconds, as Sergio Olivare Cirio jinked through a swarm of defenders before being halted by a last-ditch tackle.