Competitive Mariners

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While the first half was all one way traffic, as Mariners fans and foes have become accustomed to, the second half was a much more even affair.

The Mariners defended resolutely and undoubtedly Stajcic's half-time team talk was taken on board with full gusto. Simon's penalty was lucky, of course it was. But they rode their luck with surprising skill and Jacob Melling, Jack Clisby, Matt Millar and both centre-halves were excellent.

There's a long road remaining but Stajcic's ability to shift mentality and inspire change is becoming evident. They'll take what they can get right now, but they could be doing a lot worse.

BFG hits the bigtime 

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Georg Neidermeier has been a divisive figure this season - at least when he's made it on to the park. It's always a body blow when a foreign import, particularly a less than stylish defender, spends most of the season sidelined with injury.

It doesn't help when he's a little like Bambi on ice sometimes when he's on the pitch either. But to see him snatch the equaliser would have warmed the hearts of Victory fans, no less the big German himself.

The passion as he grabbed hold of Keisuke Honda spoke volumes that the former Bundesliga stalwart isn't done yet. Honourable mention: Matt Acton's final minute heroics!