Ferguson had promised to inject some youth into the side and he duly delivered, handing first senior starts to Brent Griffiths, Howard Fondyke and Tommy Amphlett.

Skipper Jacob Burns was reinstated in the heart of midfield after missing the Central Coast game through suspension, Michael Baird was recalled up front, with Robbie Fowler moving to the bench and Naum Sekulovski, Steven McGarry, Branko Jelic and Ryan Pearson left out.

 "It was a far better performance, a more positive performance and I think the young kids we played tonight were fantastic," Ferguson said.

 "We basically had nothing to lose and I thought I give the youth a chance and I thought they paid us back handsomely."