The fixture saw the AIS go in with a strengthened team due to the return of various players from national duty in Indonesia.

And the reinforcements showed their class, with the team able to end their run of conceding four goals in each of their last three games.

Both teams were unable to cash in on some prime goal scoring opportunities in the opening minutes, including a surge down the middle from Central Coast's Mitchell Mallia, which was quickly taken care of by AIS keeper Lawrence Thomas who came in low and denied the Mariners.

Despite going into the match as favourites, Central Coast did not come out all guns blazing, with possession remaining fairly even into the 15th minute.

Some quick passing in the midfield by Central Coast kept the AIS on edge while the Mariners strong defence contained any threat.

A goal from the Mariners in the 33rd minute looked almost certain but after a hassle-free run down the wing from Panagiotis Nika, the angle of his cross came directly in contact with an AIS boot and deflected out.

A free kick for the Mariners in the provided the side with a final glimmer of a goal before the first half of the match was through, but the strike sailed well over the cros bar and scores remained deadlocked at the break.

Energy was high in the opening minutes of the second half, the AIS creating an early attempt at goal from a tricky angle that sent Mariners keeper Matic diving off to the side.

The AIS came close to a goal in the 64th minute but an offside call on Mustafa Amini quickly brought the opportunity to an end.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, the pressure to score continued to build and it was still the AIS which seemed to have most of the spark.

The Mariners were quick to answer back but their inability to convert saw the scores deadlocked at full time and both teams walked away from the match with a point each.