The Central Coast Mariners have clinched top spot on the A-league ladder, with striker Daniel McBreen netting his second goal in two weeks to secure a 1-0 win against the Melbourne Heart at Gosford on Friday night.

McBreen opened his Mariners goalscoring account in last week’s 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory and added to his tally when he headed home a Pedj Bojic cross in the 20th minute at Bluetongue Stadium.

It has been some week for McBreen. Two days after scoring against Victory he became a father for the first time. He celebrated his winner on Friday night by pretending to have a sleep on the field after what has been one of the most hectic weeks of his career.

The big striker was unlucky not to finish the match with two goals after having a spectacular volley brilliantly saved by Heart goalkeeper Clint Bolton after 15 minutes.

It was a match the Mariners deserved to win. The home team dominated possession and field position and should have scored at least another goal with the Heart rarely threatening Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

Heart finished the match with 10 men after central defender Michael Beauchamp was sent off in the 52nd minute for an alleged head butt on Mariners midfielder Oliver Bozanic.

Central Coast: 1 (Daniel McBreen 20’)
Melbourne Heart: 0
Crowd: 6326