IT SEEMED like yet another week of so near, yet so far for the Central Coast Mariners.

Paul Okon’s side was competitive yet not quite able to gain the edge it needed.

With Sergi Guardiola’s penalty giving Adelaide a 1-0 home lead, the Mariners went into the sheds with all the work to do.

Enter Mickael Tavares.

Okon had elected to start the midfielder off the bench after an injury worry.

But after half time, he made the big call to bring Tavares into the fray, in the process stabilising the Mariners’ midfield.

Tavares provided a mature, calming presence in midfield, which in turn allowed Connor Pain to use his pace and Roy O’Donovan to show off his combination of smarts and aggression.

It paid off almost immediately, with the midfielder finding Pain, who quickly moved the ball on to O’Donovan, with the forward chipping Eugene Galekovic to level the scores.

Pain only grew in confidence from there, launching a long-range shot to give the Mariners the lead.

Former Socceroo Robbie Slater said switching out Adam Berry for Tavares was an inspired move.

“You’ve got to credit Paul Okon for that change,” he said on Fox Sports.

“It wasn’t because of a poor performance from Adam Berry but I think he just wanted a bit more experience in the middle of the park and Tavares has shown that with his composure on the ball.

“I can’t remember him losing one ball, he’s led defensively as well, so they’ve really controlled the middle of the park in the second period.”

With that goal coming in the 56th minute, the Mariners then had the unnerving task of holding an unlikely lead for much of the half.

But with Tavares marshalling the midfield, Okon’s side maintained its pressure, with the Mariners’ defence holding strong.

Michael Tavares of the Central Coast Mariners competes for the ball with Ryan Kitto of United. (AAP Image/David Mariuz) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY Source: AAP

Pain, who was arguably the Mariners’ best player, said the coach had improved the team’s pressing work in the second half.

“Credit to the gaffer because we weren’t really working well with the press in the first half,” Pain said.

”The second half we just wanted to push right on them and give them no space and we worked that out to a tee.

“So we’re pretty proud of the boys.”

THE MOMENT

Pain receives the ball in an inch of space and — rather than running into the area — takes a few short steps, backs himself in and unleashes a shot past Eugene Galekovic to give the Mariners the lead.

Connor Pain of the Central Coast Mariners celebrates after scoring a goal. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

THE HERO

It’s hard to go past Pain — the speedy winger has continued his career resurrection since arriving from Melbourne Victory. His runs have become far more daring and effective and he gave Adelaide’s defence nightmares all day. With a goal and an assist to his name, he was a clear standout for man of the match honours.

THE TALKING POINT

When will the tide turn for Adelaide? The Reds went into their shell after O’Donovan’s equaliser and appeared almost stunned by Pain’s goal. Injuries are one thing but Guillermo Amor will be disappointed with that performance.

THE TURNING POINT

Tavares entering the field provided the calming influence the Mariners needed to settle defensively, which freed up Pain and O’Donovan to push forward. Central Coast kept a clean sheet in the second half while scoring two goals of its own.