A-League men: Perth Glory gambled away by two goals in a 2-2 draw with Central Coast Mariners at Macedonia Park

Perth Glory squandered a two-goal lead over Central Coast Mariners when a late double from Jason Cummings sealed a 2-2 win at Macedonia Park.

A superb Salim Khelifi free-kick on his return from injury gave Perth the lead in the 16th minute before making it 2-0 from the penalty spot just after half-time.

But two Cummings penalties within six minutes late in the second half secured a chunk of the points for the Mariners.

After looking just two points adrift of fourth place, Perth are now four points adrift of the final race and will be regretting what could have been.

Central Coast started with the forefoot and goalkeeper Cameron Cook’s reflexes were tested a minute later by Beni Nkololo before Brian Kaltak reflexively hammered a header over the bar.

But Perth took the lead when Adam Taggart was brought down by Kaltak on the edge of the box and Khelifi curled a wonderful free-kick into the top corner, leaving ex-Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic rooted to the spot.

In his first start of the season, Taggart’s work pace and ability to hold the ball up gave Perth good focus on offense and the striker almost scored when he pinched the ball deep in the opposing team’s half and played a one-two with Keegan Jelacic only for Vukovic to thwart his shot.

Samuel Silvera shot over the bar from a promising position for the visitors, while a sneaky attempt at a James McGarry free-kick swept wide for Cook to tip the ball against the post.

Taggart had the golden chance to make it 2-0 just before half-time when David Williams shoved a low ball invitingly into the box, but the striker was just an inch from making contact.

But Perth doubled their lead five minutes later when Jordan Elsey intercepted a missed pass and carried the ball out of defense and selected Khelifi, whose cross caught Kaltak’s arm.

Adam Kersey pointed to the penalty spot and the Tunisian stepped forward to take the penalty, shooting to his right and hitting Vukovic’s outstretched glove.

Substitute Jacob Farrell nearly halved the deficit when he headed against the crossbar from a corner as Central Coast began to increase the pressure on Perth.

With 16 minutes to go, Farrell headed a cross into Johnny Kouttroumbis’ outstretched arm and, on VAR’s advice, Kersey pointed to the spot, allowing Cummings to roll the ball past a distraught Cook.

And then, with just over 10 minutes to go, Aaron McEneff was credited with bringing Theoharous down and although contact was minimal Kersey again missed a penalty and Cummings sent Cook the wrong way this time.

The electric Theoharaous then hit the post late from long range as it looked like the Mariners were going to lose the game, despite Adam Zimarino being thwarted twice at the other end by Vukovic.

Perth Glory 2 (Khelifi 16′, 51′ PEN)

Cook; Elsey, Muir, Bevers, Clisby (Zimarino 82′); Khelifi (Koutroumbis 55′), Bodnar (Duncan 55′), Jelacic, R. Williams; Taggart (McEneff 62′), D Williams (Dowse 82′).

Yellow card: Beevers, Clisby, Muir, Elsey.

Central Coast Mariners 2 (Cummings 74′ PEN, 80′ PEN)

Vukovic; Roux (Baylis 85′), Triantis (Hall 85′), Kaltak, McGarry (Farrell 53′); Silvera, Nisbet, Balard (Moreshce 68′), Nkololo (Theoharous 53′); Cummings, Tulio.

Yellow card: McGarry, Kaltak.

Referee: Adam Kersey.