The Mariners claimed their first win since January, defeating Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium 2-1 on Sunday.

Okon was delighted with his side’s display, which comes after two draws and two losses from their opening four games which he said were full of positives.

“If you’re looking at it as a coach in a technical aspect, from where the team was and where it is now, I think we’re playing the best football in the competition,” Okon said.

“And we’re doing that away from home. I think that shows the confidence is there.

“The players are motivated. Our ambition is to be competitive.

“We don’t think now we’ll go and win the next 24 games.

“We want to be competitive every game and we believe if we can perform like we have in the first five games we’re in with a chance of winning football games.”

Okon said the victory was reward for everyone involved with the club, having not celebrated a triumph in 281 days.

“We felt in the first four games we probably could’ve already had a win,” he said.

“For whatever reason that hasn’t happened. Today our approach was to come and try win the football game.

“I think it’s 281 days since the club last won a game, so for us it’s a big reward, not only for the players but also the staff back home, our supporters and members.

“It’s crazy to think a team doesn’t win a football game in such a long space of time.

“We hope that’s one of many this season and there’s more to come. We’ve worked hard and the players get their reward.”

Okon also praised Connor Pain for his winner which he labeled “superb”.