The win was Newcastle's first in seven matches and came at a crucial time for Culina who has been under growing pressure to deliver results for the Jets this season.

Strikes from Michael Bridges and Labinot Haliti sealed the win for the Jets but the Mariners mounted a stout fightback and narrowed the margin with a rare goal from Adam Kwasnik, but were nable to level the scores.

"It was important that we won, first of all at home for our supporters," said Culina. "They have been terrific throughout and have supported us ever so well, considering the results.

"But I'd like to think they have been pleased with the way we have been playing. They have kept supporting us and tonight was a bit of a thank-you and a payback for them."

He added: "(The mental toughness) was a feature of the game, for me, because everything else I knew about the team, I knew we could play good football.

"It was a game really of two halves, so to speak, firstly we played some terrific football and set up the win, and second half the players challenged themselves and they were terrific."