The rookie striker came off the bench to score Gold Coast's crucial second after Shane Smeltz had equalised following Matt Simon's first half opener for the Mariners.

With United controlling possession right from the get-go, it was the Mariners who scored first against the run of play.

A quickly taken corner for Central Coast saw Mariners goal talisman Simon duck down past defender Kristian Rees to angle a header past Gold Coast goalkeeper Jess Vanstrattan in the 38th minute.

United equalised in the second half through Shane Smeltz in the 67th minute, the All-White heading home after Barisic out muscled Marines defender Brad Porter to deliver a pin-point cross into the box.

United were unlucky not to score more when Smeltz was flagged offside in the 71st minute. A move started by Jason Culina saw the United Captain play in Barisic who hit his shot straight at Vukovic.

Zenon Caravella was then on hand to follow up, passing across to Smeltz who tapped home, but his celebration was cut-short by the linesman.

Second-half substitute Andrew Barisic secured all three points for United, tapping home in the 76th minute after Culina's breakaway shot was parried into his path.

The Mariners nearly hit back a short time later when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the United area. Midfielder Pedj Bojic stepped up to fire a shot goal, which forced Vanstrattan to tip it over the bar.

With the Skilled Park surface looking like carpet, Gold Coast were moving into the final third but unable to find the final attacking pass in the first half, a change in attacking emphasis clearly displayed in seconded half

Gold Coast tested the Mariners only twice in the first half, Smeltz producing the best effort, but after dispossessing Mariners captain Alex Wilkinson and darting into the box, the World Cup-bound Smletz could only manage to hit his shot straight at keeper Danny Vukovic.

Saturday night's win lifts United from fourth to third, overtaking the Mariners who were on equal points before the match started, goal difference the only deciding factor.