Second-half goals fire Western Sydney Wanderers past Central Coast Mariners

Western Sydney Wanderers have recorded a 2-0 victory over Central Coast Mariners in their A-League clash on Sunday.

Mitch Nichols had a golden opportunity to hand the visitors the lead when he latched on to a cross and was presented with an open goal at the back post, but he could only send his strike wide.

Wanderers threatened as Nikolai Topor-Stanley rose highest in the area to head a cross at goal, but he could not direct his effort on target.

Anthony Caceres had the home side's best effort of the first half as he raided forward to the edge of the box and drilled a low strike towards the bottom corner, but Andrew Redmayne made the save.

In the second half, Wanderers took the lead as Brendon Santalab was played through behind the Mariners' defence and he held his composure to slot his strike past Paul Izzo.

The visitors secured the win in stoppage time when Nichols atoned for his error in the first half by finding the back of the net, albeit after failing to connect fully with his shot.

The victory lifts Western Sydney up to second place in the table, while Central Coast remain in eighth.