Northern Tigers FC left it late in their last derby game against soon to be defunct Central Coast FC at a sunny Mills Park, Asquith on Sunday afternoon - only scoring in the 77th minute, and then again 5 minutes later before the Coast grabbed a consolation goal.

Both team were intent of making a game of it but that does not mean it was pretty. The referee didn't help with interruptions for what were niggly incidents between players who know each other well.

Last season's Grand Final hat-trick holder Max Glanville looked lively in one of his rare appearances this season, due I believe to overseas travel. In the 20th minute he made a surging run down the left but just as hewas about to shoot from 25m the ball took a 'bobble' on the pitch and it sailed high over the bar.

Five minutes later it was the Coast with a chance as a corner was taken from the right and Grant Maundrell got a strong header on it, goalward, only to see Matt Collins head it off the line.

As the half drew toward conclusion one shot went wide for the Coast, and Glanville hit one over. It looked like it was heading for a scoreless draw at this rate.

Glanville's guile gave the Coast defence a torrid time after the break, with a shot from an acute angle on the right cutting back across goal, and then after 12 minutes had elapsed making a run on goal from the left he slipped right the ball to Collins whose shot from in=front of goal was blocked, and the ball was pushed wide to the right to Brendan Salemah who hesitated in burying it and his shot was blocked by a fast moving defender. The best chance of the game to that point.

Michael Simmonds for the Coast put pressure on after a series of shots on goal were blocked in the 64th minute, but it rebounded to the keeper. Two minutes later Glanville's cross from the right was too strong for his team-mate running through and the header skewed wide on the left.

Pinball action in the Coast's penalty area led to substitute Adam Hett slamming the ball into the under side of the net at the 77th minute. Leaving it late, but now 1-0

Tigers substitute Daniel Clifford also scored, in the 82nd minute to give the home side a buffer. 2-0

A consolation to the never say die Coast, when just before the end of regulation time Darren Cooper forced home a shot. 2-1

Northern Tiger's season is now in their own hands if they want to play in the finals again, while for the Coast you have to give them credit for shrugging off their demise and playing for pride in the shirt and to win.

'Grade' 20: Northern Tigers 1 - Central Coast 2