Simon pounced on a mistake to race into the area and thunder a terrific angled strike past Paul Henderson with many fans still getting to their seats at Bluetongue.

That looked like being enough but back came Fury in the second half with McBreen heading the leveller 15 minutes from time.

The Mariners looked on track to score a crucial home victory when Simon netted the second quickest goal in A-League history.

It was a dream start for a Mariners team desperate for a home win after a disappointing performance against Sydney on Monday.

After Simon's early goal the Mariners looked good in possession but failed to create many chances.

Simon was working hard up front, while at the back the Mariners kept Fury captain Robbie Fowler well in check.

North Queensland had plenty of the ball but lacked creativity. Fowler looked frustrated at times, but the visitors came out with more intensity in the second half.

The Mariners had a goal disallowed for offside in the 50th minute and after that North Queensland had chances to equalise.

Jason Spagnuolo fired over from close range in the 55th minute, while Tadrosse also tried his luck from long range two efforts.

The Mariners came close to sealing the points when defender Nigel Boogaard shot wide from close range after a great run and cross from Simon in the 73rd minute.

Two minutes later Fury scored, setting up an exciting finish.

Both teams pushed players forward in attempt to score a late winner but some poor finishing and desperate defending saw the scores remain level.

Fury Coach Ian Ferguson again praised his troops for their commitment to fight back and claim the point on the road but was equally disappointed in what he termed a schoolboy error to let Simon score.

"I felt we were the better team in the second half, the movement was good and we kept the ball well and put the Mariners under pressure and had three or four chances. I'm absolutely delighted" Ferguson said.

 "We've got to stop putting ourselves under pressure and behind the eight ball and that's the biggest disappointment and I'd love to be in a position where we're actually one or two-nil up at halftime instead of having to say to the boys we're still in it but credit to these boys, they're absolutely fantastic and they give their all."