Aloisi likes Roar reaction in Mariners win

Oct 22, 2016 - 9:58 AM Brisbane coach John Aloisi wanted a reaction, and a reaction is exactly what he got.

A first half strike from Thomas Kristensen was enough for Brisbane to edge Central Coast 1-0 on Saturday night and claim their first win of the A-League season.

It also put to bed the demons of last week's painful 4-0 flogging in Newcastle that angered Aloisi enough to label it their worst performance under his watch.

"The important thing is to have that intensity from the start and we had that," Aloisi said.

"We matched them with that today because they came out hard and they made it difficult for us. Last week we didn't feel we had that."

However Aloisi did rue a 19-6 shots count that could've saved him and the club's fans a nervy finish against a stubborn Mariners side that never threw the towel in.

"The only thing we're disappointed in is we didn't kill off the game earlier because we had those of the opportunities. But all in all it was a good reaction from the players," Aloisi said.

The loss keeps Central Coast without a win this season and extends their winless run to 13, athough rookie coach Paul Okon will be buoyed by his team's effort.

The return of Fabio Ferreira injected a creative outlet early on the right flank, while gloveman Paul Izzo produced a number of strong saves in place of a sacked Ivan Necevski.

Brisbane had to survive a handball shout on Luke De Vere that could've been fatal, while Mariners talisman Roy O'Donovan's header had to be parried away by Michael Theo soon after.

It was the third time in as many weeks the Mariners were unfortunate not to receive a penalty.

"The fourth official told me, he was told that it wasn't a penalty last week. I'm going to have to study the rule book. I honestly don't know," Okon said.

"I've asked people who are referees if your hands are in an unnatural position, and the ball hits it, it's a penalty. This may not be an unnatural position anymore."

However despite the home side's bright early display, Kristensen drew first blood for the visitors in the 33rd minute.

Jack Hingert's cross was met with a quick-fire shot from Brett Holman, only for a deflection to draw Izzo out of the goals and then get beat by Kristensen's low hit.

Source: AAP