A late goal from Antoni Timotheou has handed Canberra United a first Foxtel Y-League win in a dramatic clash with the Central Coast Mariners.
United went in as heavy underdogs without a win to their name, and with the Mariners having taken the spoils 6-3 when the side’s met in Canberra.
But after a cagey opening half, Lachlan Griffiths put United in the lead with a goal deep in stoppage time.
A free-kick outside the area was dropped in behind the defence by Josh Gulevski, and after a deflection the ball found its way to Griffiths who made no mistake from the middle of the box.
With the visitors in the lead at half-time, they were looking to hold the advantage but it took only 13 minutes for the Mariners to equalise.
A slick through ball found Matias Paz and he made no mistake to finish comfortably from inside the area.
Both sides pushed to find a winner as the half wore on, but just as it appeared the game would end in a stalemate was when United struck.
A Mariners turnover was pounced on in midfield and Gulevski was set free down the right. He raced into the box and squared the ball to Mikey Katsoulis at the far post, who tapped the ball back into the path of Timotheou to finish cleanly.
The leaders still had to hold on through eight minutes of injury time, but did so with a determined resolve and finished with their first three points of the season.
They now turn their attentions to a home clash with the Jets at McKellar Park on Saturday.
