Jets striker Joel Griffiths converted a penalty to put the home side in the lead in just the ninth minute before Sasho Petrovski levelled the scores in the 66th minute. Mariners substitute striker Matt Simon scored the winner in the 79th minute with a strong solo effort.

The win sees the Mariners move to the top of the table on 25 points with the rest of the round to still be played while the loss all but ends the Jets hopes of making the finals. The defending champions are eight points out with just four rounds remaining.

The Boxing Day fixture started in perfect conditions in front of one of the Jets' best home crowds of the season and it was the home side that made all the early running.

Griffiths shot just wide of the right post in just the second minute of play before he snared the opener a few moments later.

Mariners veteran Andre Gumprecht pulled down Jets winger Marko Jesic just in the edge of the area and referee Peter O'Leary had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Griffiths stepped up to the spot to fire the ball into the roof of the net to hand the home side a 1-0 lead after just nine minutes.

The Jets had a golden opportunity to double their advantage 10 minutes later when Matt Thompson charged down a clearing kick from Mariners defender Pedj Bojic 30 yards out from goal.

Thompson charged into the penalty area where he unleashed a right-footed strike which was parried away by Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic. Griffiths pounced on the loose ball but Vukovic blocked his shot with his legs to diffuse the situation.

Down the other end the Mariners had a couple of half-chances Petrovski poked a shot wide before heading over from just six yards following a pin-point cross from Dylan McAllister.

Jobe Wheelhouse, who had come on for the injured Jesic in the 18th minute, had the final chance of the first half when he got the ball in space down the right flank but he drove his shot straight into the arms of Vukovic to see the Jets head to the sheds holding a 1-0 lead.

The Jets picked up where they left off before the break creating a number of chances to threaten the Mariners goal. Griffiths shot wide before Song Jin-Hyung spooned his shot over the crossbar.

Central Coast coach Lawrie McKinna brought on striker Simon to bolster the visitors' attack and the move proved beneficial as the Mariners started to engineer more attacking opportunities.

Petrovski fired over the bar before getting leveling the scores in the 66th minute. Left back Dean Heffernan took the ball to the byline before delivering a dangerous cross for Petrovski who timed his run well and head home in front of defender Jade North.

Knowing a draw was of no use to either side, both went for broke with McKinna introducing playmaker Adrian Caceras while Jets coach Gary van Egmond brought on teenage attackers James Holland and Sean Rooney.

It was some powerful work from Simon that created the winner. The lanky striker got the ball on the edge of the penalty area and shook off two defenders before firing the ball into the under Jets custodian Ante Covic and into the corner of the net.

Both sides finished with a flurry of chances. Simon shot over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy while Song did like wise from 18-yards while Elrich forced a good save from Vukovic as the visitors collected the spoils.

The match ended with players scuffling and amid the confusion, MacAllister was shown the red card by the referee.