Adam Lucius, Sportal

Noel Spencer

A-League © A-League

A double to Scottish veteran Stewart Petrie has helped Central Coast to a precious 4-0 win over Perth Glory in a rainswept Hyundai A-League match at Central Coast Stadium.

The experienced Petrie scored a goal in each half with Dean Heffernan adding a third five minutes from time and skipper Noel Spencer lashing home a goal deep into injury time to complete the rout.

It was the Mariners' first home win in the Hyundai A-League after coming up empty on three previous occasions.

Petrie's first goal was a simple tap-in after 14 minutes while his second came from a beautiful diving header three minutes into the second half.

Heffernan's headed goal from a lovely Wayne O'Sullivan cross put the game beyond doubt before Spencer continued his rich run of form with a fourth at the death.

Chances fell at both ends before Petrie opened the Central Coast's account with a well-worked goal. O'Sullivan sent the ball wide for Tom Pondeljak to sweep a perfect pass across the face of goal to strike partner Petrie, who tapped in at the far post for his third goal of the year.

Midfielder Andre Gumprecht, who was a menace all game, came close to doubling the Mariners' lead shortly after, only for his on-target shot to be deflected wide by a Glory defender.

Glory striker Damien Mori, who has extended his on-load period with the club for a further four weeks, looked the most dangerous for Perth. His volley on the turn after nine minutes flew just over the bar, while a neat back heel from Scott Miller freed Mori for another shot on goal soon after.

But Mori and the equally prolific Bobby Despotovski were largely isolated as the well-organised Central Coast defence kept things tight in the greasy conditions.

The Glory should have been back on level terms in the 43rd minute but midfielder Billy Celeski, with the goal at his mercy, shot directly at the feet of Mariners 'keeper Danny Vukovic.

Petrie made them pay when he dived full stretch to head home a pinpoint cross from the impressive Pondeljak at the 48 minute mark.

Glory looked most dangerous when speedy winger Hiroyuki Ishida ran at the defence, but the visitors rarely tested Vukovic.

Instead it was the hosts who were the more enterprising and it was no surprise to see the Mariners round off their best performance of the season with two more goals late in the second half.

Central Coast 4
(Petrie 14, 48, Heffernan 85, Spencer 92)

Perth Glory 0