Cummings seals a 2-2 draw for Mariners in Perth

Jason Cummings scored two second-half penalties to help Central Coast to a 2-2 draw with Perth Glory at Macedonia Park.

Glory winger Salim Khelifi marked his early return from injury with a brace to put the home side 2-0 ahead in Saturday night’s A-League Men clash.

But penalties in the 74th and 81st minutes against Cummings helped the Mariners secure some of the spoils.

Central Coast almost snatched the win, but Christian Theoharous’ Donnerkeil from long range banged off the post in the 82nd minute.

The tie keeps the Mariners in second place for now, but they may be overtaken by Adelaide on Sunday.

Ninth-placed Glory suffered a result that puts him four points behind the top six.

Khelifi’s starting role against the Mariners came as a major surprise amid fears his season could be over after sustaining a foot injury in Glory’s 3-1 win over Melbourne Victory on January 21.

It was the same foot Khelifi had previously had surgery on, but the final setback wasn’t serious and it made an immediate impact in his return

Glory striker Adam Taggart won the free-kick that led to Perth’s first goal after being brought down by Brian Kaltak on the edge of the box.

Khelifi took the free-kick, whipped the ball off the crossbar and had the home fans raving.

The Mariners had 65 percent possession in the first half, but their 11 shots – four of which were on target – came to nothing.

Glory goalkeeper Cameron Cook made two key saves to ensure Glory went 1-0 at the break.

Cook reacted quickly in the fifth minute and saved Kaltak’s header.

And he got a free-kick from James McGarry in the 32nd minute to deflect the ball into the post and safely away.

Khelifi doubled the lead in the 51st minute when he buried a penalty after a Kaltak handball.

Cummings breathed life into the Mariners’ hopes with a successful penalty after an unlucky handball from Glory defender John Koutoumbis.

And when Glory midfielder Aaron McEneff brought Theoharous down in the box in the 80th minute, Cummings stepped forward again to bury another penalty.