A Jason Cummins brace has ensured his Central Coast teammate Garang Kuol enjoyed a winning A-League Men's farewell, with the Mariners rising to second with a 2-1 home win over Melbourne Victory.
Kuol, the 18-year-old Socceroo who is heading to English Premier league club Newcastle, received a standing ovation from the crowd of 10,372 at Industree Group Stadium after playing 77 minutes in just his third ALM start.
Kuol was involved in Cummins' first goal and made some trademark surging runs in an entertaining New Year's Eve clash in Gosford, as the Mariners logged a third straight home win.
Victory almost scored after 36 seconds but Storm Roux did well to block a goal-bound shot from Nani.
Cummins made it four goals from as many games since returning from World Cup duties.
He scored either side of a sweet 39th minute strike from Spaniard Cadete and although 10-placed Victory had several other chances through the game, the Mariners looked more likely to score in the final quarter.
Kuol's sweeping pass found Roux on the right and the defender's perfect cross was headed in at the far post by Cummins in the 11th minute.
Cummins, the Scotland-born Socceroo, thought he had a double in the 18th minute, when he slotted the ball home after it ricocheted around the area following a Mariners corner.
VAR determined it was offside, a decision that clearly upset the Mariners but was welcomed by Victory, who felt a goal kick should have been awarded rather than a corner.
Victory enjoyed a good spell with Jake Brimmer having a shot pushed away by Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic who stopped another effort from impressive starting debutant William Wilson.
Cadete scored a delightful equaliser In the 39th minute, when Roux backed off and the Spaniard ran towards the edge of the penalty area where he curled a glorious left-foot shot into the net.
Cadete, who hadn't scored a goal since April 2019, almost got his second off the night, just after halftime, but volleyed a Nani cross over from close range.
Cummins scored the winner in the 53rd minute with a close-range header after Brian Kaltak nodded a far post corner into his path.
Kuol had a Benj Nkololo shot deflect off him and was instrumental in a move that led to referee Daniel Elder awarding a penalty in the 66th minute.
The marauding winger made a strong run and put a pass through for Josh Nisbet, who fell in the penalty area, with Elder awarding a spot kick after ruling the Mariners midfielder was brought down by Victory goalkeeper Matt Acton.
Elder reversed the decision after the VAR called him over to the monitor to watch replays of the incident.
Kuol made another surging run shortly after before being taken off.
Nkololo and substitute Michael Ruhs each went close while Victory battled hard but struggled to create clear-cut chances in the closing stages.
