Adam Kwasnik scored the game's only goal on 28 minutes with a close-range header as Fury couldn't find a reply.

"I'm happy with the three points but that's where it ends. I was really disappointed," Arnold told FoxSports after the game. "We played too negative tonight.

"We've been doing really well this year when we win the ball back in transition by playing the first pass forward but tonight it was backwards and sideways. It was frustrating."

He added: "We were sloppy. North Queensland, you've got to give full credit to them, they've come off a heavy program, they come down here and performed well. I do expect we play better at home than that."

Fury coach Franz Straka was happy with his side's performance after their busy schedule of games, but admitted their bluntness in attack ultimately cost them yet again.

"The team was fit today," Straka said. "I was very happy with our performance.

"It was a very close match. Unfortunately, it was one time where we were not attentive.

"We also had good chances to score, but the difference between both teams was up front, we were not so dangerous like Central Coast were."

Meanwhile, despite being frustrated with the performance, Arnold was upbeat about claiming the three points which moved the Mariners above Gold Coast and into third spot on the A-League table.

"The top two is within reach," Arnold said. "I want to always challenge our players and even myself.

"The most important thing tonight is the three points and all the players got through without any injuries.

"Overall I'm happy come Christmas Day we're sitting in third place. I'm very proud of the boys for that achievement."

Arnold started Argentine playmaker Patricio Perez in the clash, giving him just over an hour before replacing him with youngster Mustafa Amini.

The Mariners boss said he was happy to see Perez get a run and added he believes the Argentine and Amini can play in the same side.

"He (Perez) got through unscathed," he said. "It was good he got 60 minutes under his belt. I was very happy with Musti when he came on. He's doing such a wonderful job.

"If Musti continues the way he is, than he's got to be in the side somewhere.

"Patricio has played up front, next to a striker and can drop early into midfield. Those two do play off each other well, with (Michael) McGlinchey and (Oliver) Bozanic technically that's a good midfield.

"At the moment we've got guys scoring goals. The only fear I'd have playing the two together is where are the goals going to come from."

Central Coast's next match is an important game at home to second-placed Adelaide United on Boxing Day.

Straka's Fury slip to last spot as a result of the Mariners defeat, but the Czech boss is looking forward to their next clash at home to Wellington Phoenix on Monday with admission free.

"Now we have a very tough game against Wellington," Straka said. "I hope so much that we will have a good crowd in our stadium.

"We'll try to do our best, we need the three points."