Late drama sees Glory sink spirited Mariners

A sending off and goal in injury-time has seen Perth Glory sneak past a spirited Central Coast Mariners 3-2 at NIB Stadium on Sunday. 

Sitting top of the A-League, Glory started the match full of confidence and they quickly snatched the lead after just 12 minutes.

Chris Ikonomidis rifling the ball home after some superb build-up play from Neil Kilkenny and Joel Chianese saw the young attacker teed up for a routine finish inside the box.

Despite being on the back foot for most of the first-half, the Mariners found an equaliser in the 36th minute after Perth defender Tomislav Mrcela bundled the ball past Liam Reddy following a looping cross from Andrew Hoole. 

Glory would temporarily restore their lead in the 61st minute through Shane Lowry with the defender heading home after a brilliant cross from Kilkenny.

Mike Mulvey's side were refusing to roll over however and once again pulled level just minutes later through an Aiden O'Neill stunner.

The midfielder, on loan from Premier League side Burnley, picking out the top left of goal from the top of the box in emphatic fashion.

On track for a valuable point, the Mariners were reduced to ten men in injury-time with Kalifa Cisse picking up a second yellow and Perth took full advantage as Ikonomidis bundled home a very late winner.

Perth now four points clear at the A-League summit, while Central Coast are rooted to the bottom of the table with one point from five games.