Football: Phoenix left frustrated by late goal

Michael McGlinchey scored for the Phoenix against his former club. Photo / Getty

Central Coast Mariners 1
Wellington Phoenix 1

A week after their defence was found deficient against the Victory, the attack for the Wellington Phoenix left a little to be desired in tonight's draw with the Mariners.

The point was an acceptable result to take from Gosford and lifted the Phoenix into a four-way tie for fourth, but Ernie Merrick's men were perhaps fortunate to emerge with a share of the spoils.

While the coach would have been satisfied with the solidity shown after Monday's 3-0 defeat in Melbourne, Wellington failed to offer enough going forward and were left thankful for a profligate opposition.

Central Coast controlled much of the contest and consistently found themselves in position to punish their opponents but, until Roy O'Donovan's equaliser 15 minutes from time, were far too wasteful with their glut of attacking opportunities.

After snatching the lead through Michael McGlinchey's well-taken eighth-minute strike - marking the midfielder's 150th A-League match as one to remember against his former club - the Phoenix appeared content to let the home side dictate terms.

They visitors were largely living on scraps and, with heavy rain falling throughout the first half, unable to effect their usual brand of possession football.

Central Coast immediately enjoyed ascendancy after falling behind but their continual crosses and succession of long-range shots lacked the requisite quality to seriously threaten Glen Moss' goal, with the goalkeeper rarely required to intervene.

But too often the Phoenix were inaccurate when they won the ball, managing to hold their slender lead heading into halftime only after being forced to do plenty of dirty work around their own area.

The attack continued to struggle for fluidity in the second spell, with periods of possession repeatedly breaking down in the middle third, leaving Andrew Durante and Ben Sigmund to lead an obdurate defence that continued to repel most of the Mariners' own raids.

Frustrated by their inefficiency, the home side begun committing plenty of numbers forward as the match progressed, giving the Phoenix a few tempting opportunities on the counter. While one such move saw a fierce Roly Bonevacia drive denied by a combination of Paul Izzo's fingertips and the outside of the post, too many were squandered.

Still, with Central Coast failing to find either a suitable final pass or a precise finish, the Phoenix would have been hopeful of walking away with all three points. The mounting pressure was creating a test relished by central defenders and Durante and Sigmund were throwing their bodies in front of shots and putting their heads in where it hurts.

But all their commitment was eventually undone when O'Donovan pounced, with the Irish striker producing a fine header from Josh Rose's corner to provide his side with the equaliser their enterprise deserved.

Central Coast Mariners 1 (O'Donovan 76)
Wellington Phoenix 1 (McGlinchey 8)
HT: 0-1