By Michael Church
March 28 (Reuters) - Central Coast Mariners coach Alen Stajcic said his team was disappointed with being held to a draw by bottom club Melbourne Victory, a result that would have been deemed a success in seasons gone by.
Stajcic's reaction after Saturday's game spoke volumes about both his own side's ambitions and the plight of Melbourne Victory, a club that has won the A-League title four times.
Mariners' Costa Rican striker Marco Urena canceled out Callum McManaman's opening goal as the meeting at Central Coast Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw.
"It's a little bit disappointing from our perspective, but the fact we're disappointed with a draw against Melbourne Victory shows how far we've come," said Stajcic.
"The little old Mariners are disappointed in getting a point against one of the bigger clubs in the history of the A-League."
The Mariners, with a solitary A-League title to their name, have been punching well above their weight this season after a long run of disappointment.
Currently two points clear of second-placed Melbourne City, the club that claimed their only championship back in 2013 is used to life closer to the other end of the table.
Having finished bottom of the 11-team league last year, the Mariners have blossomed under Stajcic during the past three months.
The 47-year-old Stajcic has seized the chance to show what he can do after being controversially sacked as coach of Australia's women's national team in January 2019.
"We're still on top, but the table's so tight and I'm sure it will get even more compact over the coming weeks with so many matches to be played," said Stajcic.
"From my perspective, we didn't want a point tonight. We came here for the win, but ultimately you've got to take it and that's what we deserved on the night."
Even if the Mariners relinquish their hold on top spot - Melbourne City currently have two games in hand - the chances of the team advancing to the finals series for the first time since 2014 are strong.
"We've got to regroup," said Stajcic.
"We've got four days now to play Adelaide and then another five days until we play the (Western Sydney) Wanderers, so two big games are coming up for us."