As defence dominated what was a typically physical encounter between the sides, the Reds were rarely threatened as they recorded their first clean sheet in five games, although they could not find a way past a stingy Mariners line up, which has conceded fewer goals than any team so far this season.

Despite failing to find the back of the net, Reds coach Aurelio Vidmar was pleased with his team's response following last weekend's loss to Melbourne Victory.

"I thought it was a pretty good game of football from both sides, with two teams that had the endeavour to try and win the game right to the death," Vidmar said.

 "That final pass and that final action in the front third just let us down again, but I thought it was an excellent effort from everyone."

After United's players held a meeting in the week leading up to the game, Travis Dodd said there was a significant improvement in the Reds' approach to the match against the Mariners.

"The attitude that we spoke about during the week that we needed to have to try and achieve three points was certainly there so it was a good effort, unfortunately we just couldn't put one away, so I think if we can take that mentality and keep working with that then we're heading in the right direction," Dodd said.