Mariners take top spot after draw
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Come back... Leo Bertos sent in the cross that produced the equalising goal for Perth. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)
The Central Coast moved one point clear at the top of the table with a 1-1 draw against the Glory in their round 19 A-League clash at Members Equity Stadium on Sunday evening.
A first half John Hutchinson goal was cancelled out by substitute Nikita Rukavytsya's tap-in to see the honours shared in the entertaining match.
The league leaders enjoyed most of the possession in the opening period and created a solid handful of chances, most notably when Tom Pondeljak set up Sasho Petrovski, only for the former Sydney attacker to send his shot soaring over the bar.
The dead-lock was broken in the 37th minute when John Aloisi deftly flicked Danny Vukovic's long ball onto Hutchinson, who coolly drove home the shot to open up a one-goal lead.
The visiting side looked set to extend their lead as the second half got underway, but when Rukavytsya took the field in the 56th minute, the game began to swing back in the direction of the A-League's cellar dwellers.
He almost made his presence felt after eight minutes on the pitch when he sent a blistering shot ricocheting off the post.
But the home fans were given something to cheer about in the 69th minute when the sub latched on to a low Leo Bertos cross to tap in from close range.
Despite dictating the play in the closing stages, Perth were unable to secure all three points and both sides left with a deserved point.
The result lifts the Mariners (31 points) one point clear of the Queensland Roar and Sydney FC (30) in the race for the minor premiership, with two rounds remaining.
