The Gosford side are now just one point clear the top but still have a game in hand with a date against Sydney on December 22.

But no-one at the club is counting their chickens or starting the celebrations yet.

"We’ve not even mentioned winning the Premiership," said Mariners manager Lawrie McKinna.

"It’s not something that we talk about because until it’s mathematically impossible for anyone to catch us – that will be the first time we mention it."

Mariners went down 2-1 to resurgent Roar despite taking an early lead from the boot of John Aloisi.

But an own goal by former Socceroo Tony Vidmar and a winner from Matt McKay ended the Central Coast's hopes of extending their lead to a potential seven points.

"We started off badly," admitted McKinna. "They could have scored in the first minute but Danny pulled off a great save.

"We got ourselves in the game and started to get our shape right and to go up 1-0 away from home was great.

"But our biggest problem was when we lost the ball. Our midfield just didn’t get into shape."

He added: "In the second half we huffed and puffed a bit – they had a few chances and we had a few chances, but we didn’t create a lot of good positive play.

"It was a hard game for us – credit to Queensland, they deserved to win tonight."

Mariners face another vital game next week against third-placed Adelaide before the delayed showdown with Sydney.

"It’s a short turnaround between now and the United game," said McKinna.

"But we’ve got four boys back next week in Pondeljak, Boogaard, Hutchinson and Petrovski and we’ll make a decision early in the week in terms of putting a team on the park that we think can get three points in Adelaide."