BRISBANE Roar overcame "calamitous defending" to push A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners to the brink last night before settling for a 2-2 draw at Suncorp Stadium. A late strike from the competition's leading goalscorer, Daniel McBreen, denied the Roar an upset victory over the Mariners, who had been stunned in the opening 25 minutes of the second half by a brace from star Brisbane striker Besart Berisha. The Roar, which has struggled all season in its bid for a hat-trick of A-League titles, again battled during the first-half before turning the back the clock after half-time, when the old firm of Berisha and star German import Thomas Broich coming to life. Brisbane fans also would also have been encouraged by the display of new Dutch recruit Stef Nijland, who had an immediate impact after entering proceedings with 25 minutes remaining as a replacement for midfielder Steve Lustica. The 24-year-old playmaker delivered a superb through ball to Shane Stefanutto, whose near-post cross was pounced on by Berisha, whose brace last night took his season goals tally to 10. But McBreen's 14th goal of the season ensured the points were shared in front of the crowd of 10,604. "I can't speak highly enough of their response in the second half - it was magnificent," Roar coach Mike Mulvey said. However, Mulvey was far less complimentary about Brisbane's first-half display, particularly in reference to Central Coast's first goal, scored in the eighth minute by Michael McGlinchey. With the Roar down to 10 men while waiting to bring on subsitute Ben Halloran for the injured Massimo Murdocca, the Mariners took full advantage of their extra man. Josh Rose fed former Socceroos attacker Mile Sterjovski, who delivered a low cross into the penalty area that Brisbane defender Matt Jurman failed to clear. The ball fell straight into the path of McGlinchey, who made no mistake with a smart finish. It was part of a forgettable night for Jurman, who later was booked for a needless foul on Mariners attacker Bernie Ibini. " (It was) calamitous defending which is not good enough at this level," Mulvey said. North lucky to stay on the field after dragging down McGlinchey, who was through on goal before being blatantly fouled by the Socceroos defender. The 31-year-old defender admitted after the match he was "lucky" to "get away" with the indiscretion. Mariners coach Graham Arnold agreed. "From my view ... it was a hundred per cent send off," Arnold said. (North was the) last defender, McGlinchey had the ball and was away. I believe Jade North has already said on television he should have been sent off. It's a 1-0 game, 10 men, (a) team down on confidence ... it could be a different story. Tonight we got a bad one, but the most important thing for us is we got a good point away from home.