Late goals save Mariners, Glory

An Adam Kwasnik winner in the 89th minute helped Central Coast Mariners pinch a 1-0 A-League victory over the Melbourne Heart on Wednesday.

Heart controlled almost the entire match, but their failure to convert their numerous chances came back to bite them as Kwasnik sealed the deal to get the Mariners out of jail at AAMI Park.

The result extends the Mariners’ club record 14-match unbeaten streak while the Heart remain winless from their past four games.

In a free-flowing match Park, Mariners goalkeeper Ryan heroically blunted Heart’s attacking moves – most of which were came from striker Alex Terra.

Terra was outstanding with his mazy runs down the left flank but the Heart will be left to rue a wasted night after outplaying the league-leaders for virtually the entire match.

But the visitors, sensing an improbable victory, pressed hard for an unlikely winner and found it when Michael McClinchey twisted his way down the field and sent a left-footed ball to Kwasnik, who tucked the ball neatly in the back of the net.

Earlier, a late header from Adam Hughes helped the Perth Glory escape with a 1-1 draw in their clash against Sydney FC in Campbelltown.

It looked like the Glory’s four-match unbeaten run would come to an end after Mark Bridge gave the Sky Blues the lead just before half-time.

A Nicky Carle cross from the right flank found Bridge unmarked at the back-post, and his side-footed volley was clumsily helped into the net by goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.

But just as Sydney looked set to register their first victory of 2012, Evan Berger lofted a corner into the centre of the penalty area in the 88th minute and defender Hughes rose above the pack to direct a header into the bottom left corner of the goal.

The result extends fifth-placed Perth’s unbeaten run to five matches, while Sydney, who move to sixth, remain winless in their last five.