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Wenzel-Halls then sealed the win in the 91st minute with a goal against his former club.<\/p>\n
Cummings’ strike was the Socceroos’ fourth goal in as many games against Western and 16th minute for the season, just two behind golden boot leader Jamie Maclaren.<\/p>\n
“For me, he’s one of the best strikers in the competition,” said Central Coast coach Nick Montgomery.<\/p>\n
“He’s chasing him for that golden boot now; he’s two goals behind him with three games to go so that’s a good challenge for him and the team.”<\/p>\n
With just three games remaining in their regular season, the results ensured the Mariners kept pace with second-placed Adelaide in the race for a first-round finals bye, with the two to clash in South Australia in the last week of the campaign.<\/p>\n
Before then, they face league leaders Melbourne City in their home finale next week, before travelling to face F3 Derby foes Newcastle in the campaign’s penultimate round.<\/p>\n
Montgomery said the win in Ballarat was meaningful.<\/p>\n
“It breaks a duck, a mental barrier,” Montgomery said.<\/p>\n
“I thought we more than deserved the three points against a good team that were champions last year.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got a big game next week against Melbourne City and hopefully we can fill the stadium because anything can happen in football.”<\/p>\n