Perth took the lead in the fifth minute through a deflected Josh Mitchell strike and appeared set to hold on after weathering a second-half onslaught from the Mariners in some warm conditions.

But Dutch defender Zwaanswijk was on hand in the 87th minute to bundle the ball across the line from close-range, although it looked like Joshua Risdon was fouled by Daniel McBreen as the Mariners' striker nodded the ball across to Zwaanswijk.

Glory launched a late assault on the Central Coast goal as Robbie Fowler sent a free kick over the bar before the former Liverpool striker fired a powerful strike straight at Mariners' stopper Matthew Ryan.

But the hosts couldn't force another goal and had to settle for a point that sees them remain in second-last on the table, while the Mariners stay in fourth.

Despite missing a host of senior players like skipper Jacob Burns and veteran defender Andy Todd (both with hip injuries), along with the suspended Mile Sterjovski, the Glory set out to attack the Mariners' goal from the outset.

Steven McGarry fired over the bar in the first minute but the Glory soon took the lead four minutes in when Mitchell was on hand to send a deflected chip into the back of the net for his first Glory goal.

Adriano Pellegrino then fired a long-range effort over the bar, while Mariner Matt Simon should have done better from a one-on-one with Glory stopper Tando Velaphi in the 22nd minute.

Having been given a rocket by coach Graham Arnold at half-time, Central Coast played with more purpose in the second half, as midfielders Patricio Perez and Michael McGlinchey became more influential.

In the 80th minute Josh Rose netted a headed attempt but was flagged offside, but Central Coast levelled seven minutes later, not without some controversy.

Perth Glory 1 (Mitchell 5')
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Zwaanswijk 87')
Crowd; 6356 @ nib Stadium