A-League wrap: McBreen fires Mariners to first win

Daniel McBreen scored the winner as Central Coast secured their first victory of the A-League season, defeating Perth Glory 1-0 on Sunday.

The crowd of 9,192 was brought to its feet in the 70th minute when former Glory striker McBreen scored after only being on the ground for seven minutes.

Patrick Zwaanswijk and Trent Sainsbury had the best of the chances in the first half, with the former forcing Danny Vukovic into a low save with his free-kick.

Sainsbury, who impressed, should have done better with a free header he put over the bar from a Mile Sterjovski set-piece.

McBreen’s game-winner in the 70th minute was set up by Sainsbury, who nailed a pin-point ball from inside his own half.

McBreen controlled the ball with his left foot before slotting home with his right to give the Mariners their first win of the campaign.

A depleted Wellington Phoenix side came from behind to claim a point in a 1-1 draw against a 10-man Melbourne Heart outfit at AAMI Park.

In front of a good crowd of 10,907, the Heart dominated the first half and took the lead when a brilliant 60-yard run from Aziz Behich down the left flank ended in a Matt Thompson goal.

John Aloisi’s side failed to capitalise on a series of chances to double their lead though, and they were made to pay when – after Simon Colosimo was sent off for a deliberate handball just two minutes into the second half – Paul Ifill levelled from the penalty spot.

The Phoenix were missing six players who started last week’s 2-0 win over Sydney FC, with Mark Paston, Tony Lochhead, Ben Sigmund, Leo Bertos, Jeremy Brockie and Benjamin Totori all on international duty while Wellington and New Zealand coach, Ricki Herbert, was absent for the same reason.