Central Coast has returned home for the first time in six weeks but failed to maintain its recent goalscoring form in a disappointing 0-0 draw against Perth at Bluetongue Stadium on Friday night.
The Mariners went into the match the form team of the competition, scoring nine goals in back-to-back victories against Melbourne and North Queensland.
But the home team failed to reproduce its best attacking form in a poor contest.
Central Coast started well enough with midfielder Michael McGlinchey trying his luck from long range in the seventh minute.
Six minutes later the Mariners looked likely again when defensive midfielder Matthew Crowell sent a powerful shot straight at Perth goalkeeper Tando Velaphi.
The best chance of the first stanza came to Perth after 41 minutes when Mile Sterjovski was unlucky not to score from 30 metres.
His powerful shot smashed into the post with Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic well beaten.
Both teams came out in the second half looking to press forward, but again failed to impress up front.
Perth came close to breaking the deadlock six minutes into the second half when Adriano Pellegrino's back post header was well saved by Vukovic.
The visitors were again denied by Vukovic when Victor Sikora's shot from the angle went agonisingly wide in the 67th minute.
Fringe Socceroo Matt Simon replaced Nik Mrdja in the 55th minute and tried hard for the home side. He had a great chance to be the hero in the 85th minute.
Nicky Travis sent in a perfectly placed cross to the back post but Simon failed to hit the target. Then in the final seconds of injury time Ahmad Elrich just missed from long range as the home side battled for a late winner.
Central Coast 0
Perth 0
Crowd: 7857 at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford