Referee Ben Abraham has just blown for full-time. That’s all she wrote, folks.

What a heroic performance by the Mariners. They got off a plane from Oman late on Tuesday night, were forced to front up to play a semi-final three days later, and have turned over the only team who’ve beaten them in any competition since November. And on their own home deck.

It leaves Sydney FC with a mountain to climb next Saturday in Gosford. Not only do they have a 2-1 lead to chase down in front of a probable packed house at Industree Group Stadium, but they’ll be without Jack Rodwell and Corey Hollman after their red cards tonight - in addition to injured star Joe Lolley who is out for the season.

That keeps the Mariners’ treble dream alive, which is good news for the neutrals, too. And if they can seal this in the second leg, the grand final will be in Gosford, too.

Sydney FC 1-2 Central Coast Mariners, full time