Reds steal it late against the Mariners

Adelaide United teenager Nestory Irankunda has scored an added-time stunner to steal all three points in a dramatic 2-1 A-League Men victory over Central Coast at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night.

With the scores locked at 1-1, and Mariners having the majority of late chances, substitute Irankunda picked out the top corner from a tight angle in the 92nd minute with a powerful drive.

Adelaide coach Carl Veart applauded his players after yet another late goal salvaged a result for the Reds, who sit fourth on the ladder.

"It just happens by design at the moment - I think that's nine or ten late ones," he said.

"It's credit to the players. They don't give up, they fight hard."

The Mariners had the first real chance on the quarter hour when Marcos Urena outmuscled his opponent and worked his way into the box, teeing up Nicolai Muller, but the close-range shot was well saved by Joe Gauci.

Adelaide were awarded a penalty on 23rd minutes when Lachlan Brook was brought down by Jacob Farrell.

Craig Goodwin took on the spot kick but missed a second consecutive penalty with Central Coast keeper Mark Birighitti guessing the right way and parrying the shot clear.

On the half hour the Mariners should have opened the scoring when Muller whipped in a corner to the near post where Urena flicked on, only for Jason Cummings to head over the bar with an open goal beckoning.

The visitors did break the deadlock five minutes later through Beni Nkololo after Adelaide had failed to clear an attack.

Brook skied the ball which was superbly controlled on the edge of the area by Cummings, before he laid off to Nkololo who slotted his shot under Gauci.

The Reds equalised six minutes into the second half through Hiroshi Ibusuki after a goalmouth