HOW the mighty have fallen - and now Central Coast are top of the league.

Three weeks ago, Brisbane Roar were the toast of not only the A-League but Australian sport after setting a record for the longest undefeated streak in national top-level competition.

But in the subsequent 21 days, the previously invincible Roar have fallen apart to the extent that last night's loss to the Central Coast Mariners was their fourth straight defeat, equalling the club's worst losing run.

In 360 minutes of football, Brisbane have scored just twice, and it's no co-incidence that their injured German star Thomas Broich has not played in those six hours.

Devoid of variety in attack, the Roar have created almost nothing, with their only genuine first-half chance last night falling in the 24th minute to Besart Berisha, who has not added to his nine goals in Brisbane's past four matches.

Issey Nakajima-Farran's powerful strike rattled the crossbar in the 73rd minute, before substitute Kofi Danning gave Roar fans some hope with a shot that deflected off Mariners defender Patrick Zwaanswijk and left goalkeeper Mathew Ryan stranded.

But it was too little, too late for a Roar side that also continue to pay for their shoddy defending.

The champions have conceded eight goals in their four defeats, with a howler from goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos giving the Mariners the lead in just the sixth minute last night.

Under little pressure in Brisbane's penalty area, Theoklitos inexplicably passed the ball straight to Mariners playmaker Mustafa Amini rather than take the easier option of laying it off to unmarked team-mate Mohamed Adnan.

The in-form Amini gratefully accepted Theoklitos's early Christmas present and proceeded to chip the Roar goalkeeper from 20 metres to put the visitors ahead.

Brisbane's already battered confidence had taken another blow and the hosts played accordingly for the remainder of the first half.

Centre-back Matt Jurman and midfielder Mitch Nichols again struggled, as did left fullback Shane Stefanutto, who battled double vision for the latter stages of the first half after being struck in the temple. As a result, the Mariners didn't hesitate attacking Brisbane's left side and it paid dividends in first-half stoppage time when Matt Simon split the defence with a deft pass that found Pedj Bojic.

The Central Coast fullback showed the poise of a striker with a great finish.

And despite some second-half wobbles, the two goals were enough for the Mariners to record their fifth straight victory and just their fourth win over the Roar in 25 attempts.

The Roar will be desperate for key injured trio Broich, Henrique and skipper Matt Smith to return.

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