This time a 10-man Central Coast Mariners came back from the dead to snatch a 1-all draw at Hunter Stadium on Saturday night.

Milos Trifunovic looked like he had sealed the Jets’ first win over their arch rivals since October 2012 when he glanced a header into the right corner with seven minutes remaining.

But the Mariners found a way back.

Unheralded midfielder Matt Sim was the hero, hitting a low angled shot into the right corner in injury time after the Jets had failed to clear a free-kick.

The point was no less than the visitors deserved.

They played the final 65 minutes a man down after defender Jake McGing was given a red for a crude challenge on Jets midfielder Leonardo.

The Brazilian was stretchered off and without him the home side struggled to unlock a resolute Mariners defence.

The opening 25 minutes wasn’t typical of a derby.

It was open, end to end and littered with chances, mostly created by the visitors.

At the other end, Trifunovic thought he had earned a penalty in the 14th minute when one-on-one with Paul Izzo.

The runaway striker knocked the ball past the goalkeeper and as he set off in pursuit the pair collided. Referee Kris Griffiths-Jones waved play on.

Six minutes later, the Mariners thought they had won a penalty when Mateo Poljak brought Mitch Austin down.

However Griffiths-Jones ruled that the foul was outside the box.

Both calls were contentious.

There was no doubt about the red card handed to Jake McGing in the 25th minute for a late studs-up challenge on Leonardo.

The Brazilian immediately clutched at his ankle before he was carried off on a stretcher and taken straight up the tunnel to the dressing rooms.

The injury forced a reshuffle with Radovan Pavicevic introduced on the right wing and David Carney shifted into the No.10 role. The Jets finished the half stronger but lacked a killer blow.

Trifunovic scooped a shot wide and Cameron Watson blazed over the bar from 15 metres out.

Walsmsley made an adjustment at half-time but didn’t take his foot off the accelerator, bringing on winger Josh Bingham for Heffernan.Despite dominating possession, the Jets could not break down a resolute Mariners defence.

Then with time nearly up, the Jets won a corner.

David Carney delivered to the near post and Trifunovic glanced a header into the far corner to take his point tally to four in six games.

The Jets play Adelaide United  in Adelaide this Sunday; the game kicks off at 4.30pm.