An early goal from Joshua Rose was enough to give Central Coast Mariners a 1-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in their final home match of the A-League season.
It took the Mariners just two minutes to open the scoring in front of their home fans after Anthony Kalik set up Rose, who kept his composure to drive the ball into the net.
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Western Sydney responded through Romeo Castelen, who made progress towards the penalty area before drawing a fine save out of Central Coast goalkeeper Liam Reddy.
Chances were being created at either end but it was Reddy who was the busier of the two stoppers, with the 33-year-old having to react sharply to deny Castelen for a second time.
Castelen continued to look like the visitors' best chance to get a goal back in the second half as he created some space before unleashing a powerful finish, but it brushed the side-netting as it went wide.
Mariners tried to double their lead against the run of play as Fabio Ferreira played the ball through to Nick Fitzgerald, but the substitute's first touch was lacking.
Fitzgerald turned provider as the hosts started to dominate, but his low cross to Isaka Cernak was turned wide by the midfielder.
Rose could have tapped in his second of the match as Central Coast continued to press late on, but he was tackled before he got the shot away, forcing him off with a knock.
Western Sydney threatened again in stoppage time as Castelen delivered a curling free kick to Matthew Spiranovic, but the defender's header did not trouble the keeper.
The result leaves Central Coast eighth in the table, while the Wanderers are still bottom.
Darren Plant
