The Mariners drew 0-0 with Adelaide United in Canberra on Saturday night, another 90 minutes where the defence held firm but the strikers struggled to inflict damage at the other end of the pitch.

"The first half was good, but in the second half we got better and dominated. We dominated the chances, the possession, played some really good football and created some really good chances we should have taken," said McKinna.
 
"We played the last ten minutes with ten men, and I thought we even handled that well. It's disappointing we have let two points go, but the positive is the overall performance, I thought, was very good."

A scare went through the Mariners camp just over half an hour in, when New Zealand international and Celtic academy product Michael McGlinchey went down clutching at his foot, but thankfully for McKinna, the diminutive midfielder was able to continue.
 
Kristian Sarkies sent a dipping effort over the bar from 25 yards in one of the few chances of the opening half, while at the other end, McGlinchey sent a ball into the box which sailed marginally over the head of Matt Simon, who was poised to strike.
 
McGlinchey had the final opportunity of the opening half, sending an effort wide after a John Hutchinson cross sat up in the penalty area.
 
It was to prove McGlinchey's last involvement, as he made way for Nicky Travis at half time, amid concern for his right foot.
 
"When he cleared the ball he just rolled his ankle. We think it's just a sprain, we don't think there is anything serious there. We hope he's back next week. Kiwis are tough, and he's a Kiwi with a Scottish accent so I'm sure he'll be alright," said McKinna.

The Central Coast's best chance came on 74 minutes, Matt Simon picked the ball up in the left channel and squared for Adam Kwasnik, who's close range shot was saved low down by Galekovic.
 
"When you're a striker and it comes in front of goal, Adam knows himself he didn't need to take a touch, he just needed to hit that first time.
 
"You have got two of the best goalkeepers in the A-League, Danny saved us at the end with one that could have squirmed under but another clean sheet, and an outstanding save at the finish up," McKinna said.
 
Unable to find what would have been just reward for their pressure, the frustration of McKinna's men grew, Crowell receiving his marching orders after picking up two bookings in the space of six minutes.
 
Brad Porter was introduced late on and tested Galekovic from close range, but neither side could break the deadlock, as the Central Coast picked up another vital point, but rued the two which slipped away.
 
"It was another two points that we deserved, but we'll take the positives, keeping the ball, ball movement, creating chances. Although there is disappointment, we have to take the positives out of the game going to Melbourne next week, because it's going to be hard. Matthew Crowell is going to be missing, hopefully Michael McGlinchey is back, but young Nicky Travis came on and was outstanding.
 
"The midfield of Bojic and Crowell with Hutch and Michael was outstanding, so there are a lot of positives that we will take away from the game.
 
Captain Alex Wilkinson was quick to douse suggestions the forward line may need to be reshuffled.
 
"It's a team game. It's not just the back four defending well, it's the whole team. It starts with Matty and Kwas up front and it seems to be working. Another clean sheet tonight which is great, and on another day we could have scored a couple of goals but it wasn't to be. There are going to be days where we concede goals and the strikers score," said Wilkinson.
 
And his manager agreed.
 
"We'll persevere, because there are goals in them, goals will come. If we keep the ball and move the ball around like we did we are going to get good chances. If they bounce off somebody's shin I don't care, but there are definitely goals there," said McKinna.
 
The Mariners head to Melbourne next week looking for three points, to remain in touch with the top of the ladder.
 
"The league is so tight with everybody taking points off everybody. We sat in and got a point, and we're away from home for five weeks in a row, this was a home game away from home and it was a result. There are a lot of pleasing things, but if we are going to be challenging, we need to be finishing, particularly when we dominate that much in the second half," McKinna added.