Things went from bad, to good, to worse for the Mariners against Adelaide at Hindmarsh, coughing up a 2-0 lead to eventually salvage a point against the Reds.

It was an improved performance for the Mariners, but their nervousness showed. They tried to sit back with an extra man after Adelaide's Ersan Gulum was red-carded and were punished for shaky defending. 

“We lost some points here tonight,” Okon said.

“We had a two-goal lead and we had the chance when Hooley cut back to Trent (Buhagiar) with an open goal to make it 3-0 and probably the game’s over.

“2-0 is always a dangerous score line, Adelaide gained some momentum and we didn’t take advantage of having the extra man as much as we would have liked.

“We handed the ball over too much, it became a transition game which suits Adelaide. They are very much a team that waits for you to lose the ball and then they’re off. I think in the end they probably deserved their point.

Perfectly timed, the Mariners' next match is against Wellington in a battle of the cellar-dwellars that could have lasting ramifications for both coaches, and even clubs. 

Okon believes his side has a lot to build and improve on. Remembering how to win may just the most important part.

“There are some positives. The fact that we had the two-goal lead, I thought when we used the ball well we were dangerous and threatening.

"Maybe in the end it’s because we haven’t won for a while, a bit of panic sets in, maybe we’ve forgotten how to win. All of those things start to creep in.”