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Australian A-League

Feb 2, 2014 at 6am UK

Brisbane Roar Brisbane Roar
2-1
Central Coast Central Coast Mariners

Henrique (66'), Berisha (89')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Sterjovski (37')

Match Report

Football

Brisbane Roar edge past Central Coast Mariners

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 02 February 2014

Besart Berisha hits a 89th-minute winner as Brisbane Roar establish a seven-point lead at the summit of the A-League with victory over Central Coast Mariners.

Besart Berisha struck an 89th-minute winner as Brisbane Roar moved seven points clear at the summit of the A-League table with a 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners.

Henrique of the Roar and team mates celebrate after he scores a goal during the round 17 A-League match between Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium on February 2, 2014 © Getty Images

Mike Mulvey's men were faced with an uphill task in their bid to extend their league advantage after falling behind on 35 minutes.

Mile Sterjovski was brought down in the area by Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo, before the veteran midfielder kept his cool from 12 yards and slotted home the resulting penalty.

Mulvey's troops restored parity shortly after the hour mark through second-half substitute Henrique, who produced a tidy finish to level mattters within three minutes of being on the field.

As the encounter looked set to finish all square, Berisha pounced and lobbed the ball over Liam Reddy to snatch the points and consolidate Brisbane's lead in Australia's top flight.