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Central Coast have ended an eight-year wait for an A-League Men win over Brisbane, defeating the Roar 2-1 in Gosford for the Mariners' first victory of 2022.
Central Coast have ended an eight-year wait by defeating Brisbane 2-1 their A-League Men clash in Gosford.
The Mariners had failed to beat the Roar in their past 20 encounters -- a run stretching back to 2014 -- but claimed the victory at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday thanks to second-half goals from Beni N'Kololo and Nikolai Muller.
Argentine forward Juan Lescano's second goal of the season gave Brisbane hope of extending their remarkable record over the Mariners but Nick Montgomery's team held on to claim their first league win since a 2-0 triumph over Western Sydney on December 18.
Lescano's diving header from a pin-point Jay O'Shea cross in the 69th-minute set up a nervy finish after the Mariners run of late drama but the hosts held on to claim what Montgomery felt was a deserved win.
"Obviously what's happened the last couple of weeks has been freakish, if I can use the word," Montgomery said.
"What's happened to us the past couple of weeks has been hard to take and explain.
"I can't ask any more from them today... At the end of the day it's three points.
"We've played so well most of the season, played really good football, and not come away with a result ... now we move on to Wednesday's game."
Scottish-born forward Jason Cummings came close to an opener in the 33rd minute when some last gasp defending by Scott Neville denied the Mariners forward as he tried to slide a loose ball into an empty net from close range.
Moments later the Roar nearly stole a half-time lead when Luke Ivanovic's header hit the post but the Mariners survived that scare to take control of the game early in the second half.
The hosts hit the front in the 49th minute when Frenchman N'Kololo latched onto Cumming's floated pass and fired home across Roar goalkeeper Jordan Holmes.
German midfielder Muller then extended the lead in the 55th minute with his first goal for the Mariners.
After Henry Hore tripped Jacob Farrell on the edge of the penalty area, Muller's free-kick came off Roar midfielder O'Shea's head to leave Holmes stranded.
The loss leaves Brisbane last with just three wins from 13 matches and still winless on the road this season.
"The ladder never lies. I'm not gonna sit here and make any excuses," Roar coach Warren Moon said.
"Right now we're the worst team in the league based on the ladder and we don't want to be there."
The Mariners host Melbourne Victory on Wednesday aiming to avenge their FFA Cup final defeat last month while Brisbane's next game is against Wellington at home next Saturday.
