McFlynn laments late lapse

Sydney FC captain Terry McFlynn has rued a late defensive lapse that allowed Central Coast Mariners to snatch a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

A second half strike from Joel Chianese looked like being enough for the visitors to earn a crucial three points at a wet Bluetongue Stadium, but Mariners substitute Troy Hearfield found himself unmarked in stoppage time to head home at the back post.

The 1-1 draw means the Mariners stay in top spot in the A-League by three points from Brisbane Roar, while Sydney now must beat Melbourne Victory next week to stay alive.

“We’ve made it difficult for ourselves now,” McFlynn said.

“Now we have to win all three games. I thought for most of the game we controlled the tempo.”

“Defensively we were pretty good and created enough chances to win.”

Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka said there is still enormous belief in the side.

“We needed more than a point; we need more concentration,” he said.

“But we still believe we can make it.”

Mariners coach Graham Arnold said the most pleasing aspect of his side’s performance was the character his players showed under real pressure late in the second half.

“I thought we deserved a point,” Arnold said.

“As we often have done we had to dig deep, the character in this side is fantastic.”

“We got the goal back and in the end I think we were unlucky not to get another one.”

The Mariners now turn their attentions to the Asian Champions League where they travel to China to take on Tianjin Teda on Wednesday.