A second-half strike by Central Coast teenage sensation Haine Eames has secured a 1-1 away A-League Men draw with 10-man Macarthur FC.
The home side took a first-half lead at Campbelltown Stadium on Monday through Daniel De Silva, before 16-year-old Eames equalised for the visitors as Mariners skipper Trent Sainsbury finally featured in his first game after returning to the club in the off-season.
Earning a corner kick, Eames put his side level when his attempt ricocheted in off the far post in the 53rd minute.
It was Eames' first game in the run-on line-up, making him the club's youngest starting player. He then became its youngest goal scorer.
Macarthur had a chance to restore their lead when Mariners substitute Christian Theoharus tripped over Valere Germain just outside the box in the 68th minute, but Marin Jakolis could only send the ball into the wall.
The Bulls' night grew worse when Tomi Uskok was sent off for grounding Alou Kuol in the box in the 90th minute, but the Mariners were wasteful with the penalty.
Mark Jackson's Central Coast remain 10th after avoiding back-to-back defeats, and are at least buoyed by a four-point buffer over Newcastle.
Yet to find a sure source of goals, Jackson hinted his club would be busy in the January transfer window.
"We showed composure in our build-up to get into that final third and create that opportunity, but we never looked like we had that cutting edge," Jackson said.
"You're looking for that individual little bit of flair. We feel like we've got the players who have those capabilities but they're not quite showing it in games.
"January's coming up and well, maybe we could explore the window to try and get that attacking impetus back."
Sainsbury was on the bench for his first game after his return was delayed by a chest injury, joining the fray in the 80th minute.
The Mariners are set to welcome back the calvary in the coming weeks, with Miguel Di Pizio (knee) and Nicholas Duarte (ankle) in line to return in January.
Meanwhile, Mile Sterjovski's men are fifth (12 points) on the table and undefeated in four games but will have to move on quickly, with an away trip to Perth Glory on Friday.
They have also lost 10 points from winning positions, the most of any club so far this season.
"That inconsistency is hurting us," Sterjovski said.
"I felt like the Mariners probably wanted it more. They looked a bit hungrier than us.
"It's great that it's a short turnaround in a way, albeit it's a long, long trip to Perth. It won't be easy, but (the draw) definitely puts a fire in the belly."
De Silva added his name to the score sheet for Macarthur in the 11th minute by accident, the ball deflecting off his face after Jed Drew sent a rocket from close range.
Set up by a classy pass from Germain, left-winger Jakolis ran down open pastures and warded off a line of Mariners defenders to execute a cut-back to Drew in the box.
De Silva, who was lurking near the goal line, survived a VAR check for offside.
