The local side had the opening chance of the match as Adam Spaleta brought down a long ball and cut back for Ian Waldron, who scuffed his shot, Adam Kwasnik provided the Mariners first opening, recovering from a knock to test the Capital Football 'keeper Chris Morrow from 25 yards.
 
Nik Mrdja fired a free kick over the bar soon after, while Canberra FC pair Alex Castro played on Dom Giampalo who put his first time effort over the bar, and it was the hosts who took the lead three minutes later.
 
A long ball into the box proved troublesome for Danny Vukovic, who, looking directly into the sun was unable to hold it, and despite suspicions of offside, Daniel Gecic was able to finish past the unlucky Mariners custodian.
 
But the goal appeared to spur the Central Coast into action, a good ball into the box by Ahmad Elrich helped Pedj Bojic win a corner, Bojic heading over the bar from the ensuing set piece.
 
The former Northampton Town man again in the thick of the action on 24 minutes, when he laid the ball off for Adrian Caceres, who watched a deflected shot narrowly miss the target.
 
Kwasnik's turn and shot soon after was cleared only as far as Caceres who again caused Morrow problems, and the Mariners eventually found an equaliser just after the half hour.
 
Elrich's run down the left and cross to the feet of Nicky Travis, meant the Sheffield United academy product could execute an impressive finish to the left of Morrow.
 
The Mariners had chances to take the lead but were unfortunate to see a couple of chances miss the target, while Elrich shot at Morrow deep into injury time.
 
The representative side wasn't laying down though and again took the lead, after Luke Pilkington's mishit bobbled around in the box, allowing Dom Giampalo to tap home.
 
But just two minutes later balance was restored, Adrian Caceres making a good run down the right wing, before taking the ball into the box and slipping it past replacement 'keeper Jason Denham.
 
Five minutes later, the Mariners had the lead for the first time, thanks to one of the star performers of the five-day sojourn to the nation's capital.
 
Pedj Bojic stepped up for a free kick 30 yards out, and with his spectacular winner in a pre-season trial against Queensland state league side Logan United just over a month ago still fresh in his mind, blasted home to make it 3-2.
 
Giampalo forced Vukovic into an athletic save with a free kick on the hour, while Kwasnik and Dylan Macallister both had half chances to add another.
 
Cruelly though for young Belconnen goalkeeper Alex Connell, given the last five minutes in the Mariners goal by Lawrie McKinna, he was unable to pick up a backpass from Alex Wilkisnon, the Central Coast watching on helplessly as it trickled into the empty net to rescue a 3-3 draw for the hosts.
 
Despite that, the Mariners remain undefeated this pre-season campaign, and are next in action in a pre-season trial match against Gold Coast United next Saturday, 18 July at Skilled Park. Kick Off is at 7:30pm.