SYDNEY FC's misfortune with injured, suspended and Olympic players last week turned fruitful last night when one of the unheralded youngsters given a chance in their absence scored an 80th-minute winner against the Central Coast Mariners in front of 10,932 rugged-up souls at Gosford.

Coach John Kosmina said following the season opener last week he would have to find a place for Shannon Cole after the 24-year-old hit the post with a free kick against Melbourne and played a key role in a courageous performance in an undermanned side. Cole repaid that faith last night, producing a stunning free kick that sailed over the wall and hit the inside of the post to beat goalkeeper Danny Vukovic late in the game. The goal gave Sydney a 3-2 advantage that they held onto despite a desperate barrage from the Mariners.

Even more impressive for Sydney, they played with just 10 men for much of the last half-hour after Stuart Musialik was yellow-carded for a bad tackle on Brad Porter, swore at referee Ben Williams and was immediately sent off.

Cole's goal was against the run of play. Sydney had gone to the break leading 2-1 but former Sydney player Sasho Petrovski's cheeky 66th-minute goal - his second of the night - evened the scores and gave the home side the momentum.

Cole might have grabbed the headlines but the win was set up by a wholehearted performance by evergreen striker Steve Corica. His two goals in the opening 15 minutes gave Sydney confidence.

The Mariners interjected Corica's double dose with a penalty to Petrovski and the livewire attacker's second set up a thrilling finale.

Sydney's performance left Kosmina smiling.

"To be honest, we could have been three up at half-time, comfortably," he said. "And we could have gone on with it in the second."

Kosmina particularly enjoyed Cole's effort.

"Last week he hit the post and it came out," he said. "This week it was half an inch further to the right - he practised it a lot this week - and it went in. It was a great free kick. Unstoppable."

Asked if Cole would keep injured Socceroos hero John Aloisi out of the side, Kosmina deadpanned: "Johnny doesn't take free kicks. Maybe Bimby [Corica] will keep him out."

Corica enjoyed his role last night and admired Cole's nerve.

"The pressure was on, it was 2-2 and he steps up and takes a great free kick and wins us the game," said Corica, adding that Cole is quiet on the field, though "we might hear a bit from him this week".

The last time these teams met, just before Christmas, the sides put on a nine-goal thriller. There was a sense early on that last night's clash would provide similar excitement. It was a frantic and skilful start, with three goals scored and several end-to-end raids.

Sydney was dangerous on the counter-attack, while the Mariners created chances, including three first-half penalty appeals.

Sydney struck first when Alex Brosque, back from suspension, caught out another returning player, Nigel Boogard, at left fullback. He crossed the ball low for Corica, who neatly slotted it past Vukovic.

Vukovic was playing his final game before beginning a postponed five-week suspension, earned during last year's grand final. His place will be taken by Mark Bosnich, who sat on the bench last night.

The Mariners looked unsettled after conceding, but earned a penalty when Simon Colosimo brought down Matt Simon and Petrovski sent goalkeeper Clint Bolton the wrong way.

The following minute a gang of Sydney players, including Corica, Mark Bridge and Brosque, terrorised the Mariners' defenders in a goal-mouth game of two-touch that ended with Corica burying the ball in the net.

Sydney looked to have control early in the second half, but Sydney's failure to clear in the 66th minute allowed Petrovski to slot the ball past Bolton.

Musialik was dismissed soon afterwards and Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna went for the kill, introducing goalscorer Nik Mrdja in the 79th minute. Boogard's foul on Corica in the 80th minute resulted in Cole's winner.

"After giving them two easy goals, coming back was great," McKinna said. "But [losing] is hard to take."