Central Coast Mariners in last-gasp win as Perth Glory see red Cliffhanger: Mariners players celebrate Mike McGlinchey's 95th minute winner against Perth Glory. Central Coast Mariners couldn't have left in any later but after a turbulent start to their title defence, the A-League champions ensured they will begin 2014 in the hunt after sealing an injury time win over Perth Glory. After dominating the match from kick-off, Mariners appeared to have succumbed to a late equaliser through a Steve McGarry penalty, but late drama, including a bizarre red-card for Glory captain Jacob Burns and winning goal by Mike McGlinchey clinched the dramatic victory. A large crowd turned out for the annual new years eve match and the Mariners were intent on doing their part to bring them back in the new year with an attacking fervour not yet seen under new coach Phil Moss. The home fans had to wait just 12 minutes before celebrating when Trent Sainsbury scored his first league goal at the expense of his hometown club. A McGlinchey corner wasn't cleared by the Glory and Mariners defender Zach Anderson prodded the ball through a congested area to find his defensive partner, who found the back of the net with a composed finish of a striker. The champions rediscovered the fluidity, movement and composure that won them the title last season and were in full control as they pulled the strings of play and dictated tempo. Perth finally showed some purpose and determination after the break but their enthusiasm resulted in a scrappy opening 15 minutes of the first half as they attempted to stifle the Mariners free-flowing play. Trent Sainsbury was in superb form but his game was cut short after he collapsed to the ground in the 64th minute with a suspected hamstring injury and was immediately replaced by Marcel Seip. The hosts' defensive stocks took an ever greater blow when fellow centre back Zach Anderson was forced off through injury, leaving the Mariners with just one centre-back for the remaining 15 minutes. Chris Harold almost exposed them with a point black header but narrowly missed the target. Their chance finally arrived in the 84th minute when Seip hauled Harold inside the box, giving referee Shaun Evans no option but to point to the spot. In his 100th game, Steve McGarry rattled the net. The Mariners had a late flurry of chances and a strong penalty claim of their own, and were aided by a late send-off to Glory captain Jacob Burns and amid all the turmoil, McGlinchey thumped home the winner they deserved from inside the box in the sixth minute of injury time. Perth Glory are seething with a red card issued against captain Jacob Burns while he was off the field in the dying moments of the 2-1 defeat. Burns left the field in the 90th minute to receive treatment to a gash on his head following a nasty collision that left him bleeding. He left the field to have his head bandaged and swap shirts as per the regulations, and after having to change three times and delayed from re-entering the field, he was shown a second yellow for dissent while on the sideline. The game was tied at 1-1 at the time and the Mariners went on to snatch a 96th minute winner. "The referee is not up to scratch, he spoilt a good spectacle," Burns said. Poor refereeing decision, first of all when I copped an elbow got split open, [I had to change] three shirts, wrapped my head up, stopped the blood, still won't let me on. The team's ticking, the team needs you to be on there, the dying moments when you need to be on there and the fourth official does you for dissent so you can't come back with a minute to go, mate, it's incredibly poor. I've never seen that before. Glory coach Kenny Lowe was equally unhappy with the decision and baffled as to why Burns was dismissed while attempting to return to the field. "I haven't got a clue, it's the first time I've seen a player sent off while he's off the pitch, so it's an interesting one," Lowe said. The Glory captain and coach both claim that they were not informed of the reason for Burns" dismissal during the match, and only found out via the referees" report following the game. "Some incredibly poor decisions out there," Burns said. They have to be of a better standard then, they have to use some common sense and see what's going on or at least tell you why, give you an explanation when you change three shirts to get back on there. Burns indicated that he will push for the club to appeal against the automatic one-match ban he will receive for the red card.