18 Dec 2011

Mariners inflict fourth straight loss on Roar

6:57 am on 18 December 2011

The Central Coast Mariners have gone alone at the top of Australian football's A-League after extending champions the Brisbane Roar's current slump with a 2-1 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

First-half goals from Mustafa Amini on six minutes and Pedj Bojic just before half-time were enough for the in-form Mariners to edge the championship rematch, despite Kofi Danning's 82nd minute strike giving the Roar fans some hope.

The Roar have now slipped from an Australian club record 36 matches unbeaten to equal their worst-ever losing streak of four straight defeats, including Wednesday night's 2-nil loss when the Wellington Phoenix upset the Premiers in Dunedin.

Elsewhere on Saturday night, Melbourne Heart beat Perth Glory 2-1 away to go outright third above Sydney FC, who came from behind to beat the Jets 2-1 at Newcastle.

The Phoenix face the Victory tonight in Melbourne - their third game in eight days - and can go fourth with a win.