Elvis Kamsoba's impressive first appearance in Melbourne Victory colours was not enough to save the club from a derby defeat to Melbourne City in the Foxtel Y-League.
City's triumph kept the pressure on Conference A leaders Brisbane Roar, while a pair of unexpected results in Conference B ensured both Grand Final berths are still up for grabs with two rounds to play.
Recap that and more in our Round 8 review!
SECURED: Victory snare FFA Cup sensation Kamsoba
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
City storm back after maiden Kamsoba strike
Melbourne City erased a two-goal deficit on the way to a crucial 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory that keeps last season's beaten Grand Finalists within a point of top spot in Conference A.
New signing Elvis Kamsoba started in attack, assisted Jack Palazzolo's opener and then scored himself in a blistering beginning to his Victory career.
But it was to be a losing debut for the former Avondale FC flyer as Stefan Colakovski pulled one back in the 37th minute, before Luke Goulding's bizarre own-goal - failing to find his goalkeeper with a back-pass from just inside his own half - and a Gianluca Iannucci effort completed City's comeback in the second half.
Four-goal Glory glide past Adelaide
Perth Glory remain a mathematical chance of advancing from Conference A following a 4-2 victory over Adelaide United at Dorrien Gardens.
Goals from Jaidon Selden and Ethan Brooks bookended a Daniel Stynes double and helped prepare Perth for a must-win trip to City on January 20.
Pacifique Niyongabire and Taras Gomulka were on target after half-time for Adelaide, who sit on seven points from six matches.
Austin, Petratos double up to down Wanderers
Newcastle Jets scored four times in a frantic final 21 minutes to stun Western Sydney Wanderers 5-1 and blow open Conference B.
Marley Peterson had put the Champions on course for a result with a 50th-minute response to Nick Cowburn's early opener, but Mitch Austin soon restored the home side's lead and it was all Newcastle from there.
Kosta Petratos netted twice in seven minutes before Austin wrapped up a brace of his own and a result that casts Western Sydney's status as conference leaders into jeopardy.
Mariners overrun 10-man Sydney FC
Central Coast Mariners clawed back to within three points of the table-topping Wanderers thanks to a 3-0 triumph at fellow Grand Final hopefuls Sydney FC.
Charles Lokoli-Ngoy missed a 12th-minute penalty while goalkeeper Duro Dragicevic was sent off for the Sky Blues midway through the first half.
The visiting Mariners took full advantage with Nicholas Faust, Dylan Ruiz-Diaz and Michael Katsoulis all on target in the final 25 minutes.
Though they are now three points adrift of Central Coast, third-placed Sydney FC can still leapfrog them and draw level with rivals Western Sydney by winning both of their matches in hand.
Round 9 fixtures
Central Coast Mariners v Canberra United
Date: Saturday, January 12
Venue: Central Coast Mariners CoE
KO: 10:30am AEDT
Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets
Date: Saturday, January 12
Venue: Lambert Park
KO: 4:30pm AEDT
Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar
Date: Saturday, January 19
Venue: Marsden Sports Complex
KO: 7:30pm AEDT
Melbourne City v Perth Glory
Date: Sunday, January 20
Venue: CB Smith Reserve
KO: 4:00pm AEDT
Canberra United v Sydney FC (Round 6 rescheduled)
Date: Sunday, January 20
Venue: Deakin Stadium
KO: 4:30pm AEDT
