Melbourne Victory moved into second place on the A-League ladder after netting two late goals to defeat the Central Coast Mariners 2-1 at Central Coast Stadium.

Archie Thompson and Adrian Leijer scored for the Victory after Dean Heffernan had given the Central Coast a 1-0 lead at half-time.

The Mariners, who had been in second place before the match, are yet to win at home.

The result disappointed the 9313 home fans who turned out in force, outweighing the previous biggest home crowds of 5917 and 5261.

Leijer netted the winning goal with a header from a Chris Tadrosse corner in the 80th minute.

The defender's goal sparked a frantic finish with Heffernan, Noel Spencer, Stewart Petrie and substitute Russell Woodruffe all going close to equalising for the Mariners in injury time.

Heffernan scored for the Central Coast in the 33rd minute before Melbourne marksman Thompson levelled the scores with a penalty in the 73rd minute.

Central Coast stand-in goalkeeper Danny Vukovic almost capped off an outstanding debut when he dived to his left to save Thompson's penalty, but the Socceroos striker slotted home the rebound.

Vukovic had replaced first-choice `keeper John Crawley who was ruled out with a back injury he sustained in a photo shoot and kickabout with NSW Premier Morris Iemma on Wednesday.

He made two good saves from Melbourne's Michael Ferrante and Kristian Sarkies.

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