Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic hailed Saturday night's 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium as a ''milestone'' result for the club but warned their beaten opponents would return to push them all the way for the Premier's Plate.

The Wanderers were largely second-best against the Mariners but survived a squandered penalty attempt to snatch a late winner through substitute Labinot Haliti. The win elevated the A-League's newest club to top of the table for the first time - at least at the conclusion of the round. With four matches to play, the Wanderers lead the Mariners by two points and have an easier draw.

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic. Credit:Getty Images

But Popovic said that while his players had to believe they were good enough to take down the Mariners on their home turf, they could not feel the job was done.

"We knew if we won the game we would hit top,'' Popovic said. ''You can't take anything away from [Central Coast]. They're a great side, and we can't relax at all because if we don't get the results at the end of the year, I'm sure they'll be above us."

Popovic denied there would ever be any feeling of complacency. The team would treat its next match against bottom-placed Wellington at home as seriously as any other match. ''Eight wins in a row shows they're not complacent,'' he said.

''They certainly won't be this week. That doesn't guarantee a result for us against Wellington but I can guarantee you they will be well prepared.''