Owens’ [pictured] first half strike from close range secured the Mariners their third win of the campaign and their second in as many weeks – also extending the yellow and navy’s unbeaten streak to three matches.

The Mariners were the first to threaten on goal when Darko Vidovic was played through one-on-one with Griffin McMaster in the Roar goal, but his touch was too heavy at the vital moment and McMaster was able to clean up. Vidovic then turned provider, slipping a ball to Greg Owens inside the box but the former Adelaide player hit his shot straight at McMaster.

On 26 minutes, Owens gave the Mariners the lead when he hit a Vidovic cutback from the left of the penalty area into the top of the net.

Queensland’s best effort on goal came from Tommy Oar two minutes before the break when he created some space for himself on the left side of the box, but his well-hit shot was well saved by Andrew Redmayne in the Mariners goal and the loose ball fell wide of Chris Grossman.

The Roar continued to be under pressure after the break and only a scramble in the box prevented Owens from doubling the lead. Oar then had another opportunity to draw his side level, but his shot from just inside the box sailed just over the bar.

Queensland’s Grossman nearly added to his impressive goal tally this season when he got a touch on a swinging Oar cross, but the ball cannoned onto the crossbar with Redmayne beaten in goal.

Heffernan and Vidovic had golden opportunities to double the Mariners’ lead in the final minutes, but the score remained at 1-0 and Roar left Bluetongue Stadium without points from an away game for the second successive week.

"From start to finish, today was probably our best performance of the season, particularly considering the strength of our opponent, coupled with conditions that really tested the fitness levels of both sets of players," said Mariners NYL Head Coach Alex Tobin after the match.

"The contribution from our senior players was commendable but it’s the performance of our NYL squad that we’ve really put under the microscope in recent weeks and they’ve responded magnificently.

"We’re now playing with confidence and delivering the quality that we’ve always been capable of, the challenge for us now is to continue this form for the remainder of the season and further improve as the campaign goes on."