The Mariners lost the match 2-0 to a resurgent Western Sydney Wanderers but it was the interjection of the VAR that yet again grabbed attention as the game descended into farce.

After the final whistle match officials were escorted from the pitch as the boos rained down from the frustrated home crowd.

Both Reds came after the visitors took the lead through Brendon Santalab (27') who then set up Alvaro Cejudo (50') for the second.

The Mariners will now be without Wout Brama and Jake McGing for a tough away assignment to Adelaide on Boxing Day.

Brama's yellow was upgraded after he scraped his boot down the calf of Roly Bonevacia on 62 minutes.  McGing joined him in the sheds on 78 minutes for a sliding challenge on Kearyn Baccus. 

Okon was apoplectic on the sideline.

Looking up towards the VAR booth after Brama left the pitch he shouted: "Who's up there, who's up there!"

He was even more dumbfounded when McGing was given his marching.

"I don't believe it," Okon repeated several times.

Even Wanderers defender Michael Thwaite seemed perplexed and approached referee Alex King. Fox Sports reported he asked the match official: "What are you doing?"

Mariners strength and conditioning coach was also red-carded for the sideline blow-up in what turned out to be a horror night for the Gosford outfit.

The controversy overshadowed Josep Gombau's first win as Wanderers coach. The Spaniard returned to a more experienced line up than the one spanked 5-0 by Sydney FC last week and it paid dividends.

Wanderers warhorse Santalab who was reduced to tears by the derby drubbing was the happiest man on the park after playing a key role in the win.

The result sees Wanderers move up to sixth with a game in hand, while the Mariners remain one point ahead in fifth spot after back-to-back losses.