Goals either side of half-time from skipper Nick Montgomery and Fabio Ferreira gave the Mariners their first win in seven meetings against the Jets, who slip back to last.

Connor Pain put in a Man of the Match display,popping up with two assists, as the Mariners jumped off the bottom rung of the league ladder and into 8th.

Derby pic special: Mariners v Jets

Paul Okon's men showed plenty of character to leapfrog the Jets and Adelaide United, raising hopes of avoiding back-to-back spoons. 

But with just one point between Central Coast and the other two teams, the unwanted last place remains in play ahead of the final round of the season.

It was a tense opening between the competition’s bottom two sides until Montgomery settled the hosts’ nerves with a well-taken finish from the edge of the area.

Ferreira capped a slick counter-attack shortly after half-time to give Paul Okon’s side a deserved two-goal buffer.

Newcastle created numerous openings throughout the final 15 minutes but fired a blank for the fourth match in a row, meaning they’ll need a result away to Sydney FC next weekend to be a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.

It doesn't get any easier for the two other wooden spoon contenders either. The Mariners are away to Melbourne Victory, while Adelaide United host Western Sydney Wanderers.

GOALS

1-0 Mariners: Montgomery, 32’

The Central Coast captain provided the inspiration from the edge of the area, driving Connor Pain’s layoff into the bottom corner.

2-0 Mariners: Ferreira, 51’

From a Jets corner, the Mariners broke down the left through Connor Pain who squared for Ferreira to touch past Jack Duncan.Central Coast Mariners have heaped more misery on bitter rivals Newcastle Jets with a polished 2-0 win in Gosford on Sunday afternoon.