The two season Coast-Roar draw hoodoo found its way to the Central Western NSW city of Orange this weekend, and left the Central Coast Mariners and Queensland Roar with a 1-1 result, the fifth draw in 7 games.
The Mariners, playing in front of interested locals and a couple of hundred travelling fans, started well as they had done the week before - when in the 6th minute they won a free kick 25m from goal on the left, against the general run of play. Left defender Dean Heffernan, starting on return from 1.FC Nurnberg, picked out freely running central defender Nigel Boogard on the right, and his strong header nestled in the left of the Roar net giving Liam Reddy no chance.
The Queenslanders were in fact more dominant in this early period as they tried to connect their solid looking defence with some lethal firepower up front.
In the 7th minute however Coast striker Saso Petrovski got in a shot in front of the goal, however it was blocked by the defence who were putting up a solid display. At the other end a shot from Simon Lynch eight minutes later was also blocked.
It was end to end stuff, though not at full season tempo, and in the 21st minute Reinaldo was picked out free on the right - his shot deflected off Heffernan but Matthew Trott was quick to get down to smother it.
Again Petrovski got into position to put a shot on target but impressive Roar defender Sasa Ognenovski blocked that shot.
In the 30th the Roar again switched play across field out of defence and Tahj Minniecon got up on the right, and crossed left to former Socceroo Danny Tiatto - who shot wildly over the crossbar.
Boogard showed his defensive worth in the 40th minute when he covered quickly a dangerous cross from Ben Griffin.
After the break the game continued to ebb and flow as each side sought to gain a welcome goal.
Nik Mrdja, just brought on, hit a speculator that was deceptive and drew a save from Roar keeper Liam Reddy.
Disaster for the Mariners in the 69th minute when Matthew Trott kicked a weak, low clearance kick, straight to Reinaldo - who surged forward and slotted it across to Simon Lynch, who sent it back into the net past Trott. 1-1
Both sides struggled to get some more shots on target, but in the 77th minute Coast midfielder Tom Pondeljak got forward and curled a 20m ball past Reddy from the left - but it rebounded off the right upright. Minutes later Pondeljak shot from the edge of the area but it was saved.
In the 80th minute John Hutchinson headed from close range, free, straight at Reddy who gratefully gathered.
A useful hit out for both sides, as they awaited the cup result from Wellington, NZ - and showing that both will be competitive in the season proper.