David Carney earned Sydney a valuable point when his 61st minute strike cancelled Tom Pondeljak's early second-half wonder goal.

But those two scores were only the tip of the iceberg in a game where Dwight Yorke produced one of the worst penalty attempts of his glittering career, young Sydney defenders Mark Milligan and Jacob Timpano both saved the home side with goal-line clearances, and Mariners' in-form forward John Hutchinson was stretched with a season-ending knee injury.

It was a stark contrast to the utter boredom of Sydney's scoreless draw with Newcastle last week - where the Jets were unapologetic about their desire to close down the game.

The 15,977-strong Aussie Stadium crowd were kept on the edge of their seats as both sides played attacking football, moving the ball from end to end, and constantly peppering the goals.

Both 'keepers stood tall throughout, but the Mariners' Danny Vukovic may have just shaded Sydney's Clint Bolton after initially stopping Yorke's timid seventh-minute penalty, and then producing a string of fine saves late to earn his side a point.

Sydney remained three-points ahead of Central Coast - who drop to fourth, one point behind Newcastle - but the draw also made certain Adelaide's claim to the minor premiership.

Sydney were a mathematical chance of overhauling the Reds, but now trail the Reds by 11 points with three rounds left.

The NSW rivals had combined for 11 goals in their previous two matches, but went into the second half scoreless after Yorke spurned his penalty attempt.

Both sides enjoyed plenty of chances, but it took a wonderful effort from Mariners' star Pondeljak to open the scoring in the 51st minute.

The former Socceroo, starting his first game in nearly three months, cut through the Sydney defence before bamboozling Timpano with some nifty footwork and slotting home the opener.

Pondeljak received a yellow card for his over-the-top celebrations, but Carney dealt the Mariners a bigger blow nine minutes later.

Terry McFlynn did well to keep the ball in play near right touchline before feeding Carney, who dodged Mariners defender Michael Beauchamp before cracking a 20-metre left-foot strike inside the goal post.

The only sour note was the first half injury to Hutchinson, who had proved a revelation for the Central Coast, scoring six goals after being pushed forward to fill the club's mid-season striker shortage.

Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna admitted Hutchinson's injury was a major disappointment, but unlike earlier in the season, the club now had enough depth up forward to fill the gap.

"One of the reasons we're in the top four and pushing for the finals is the goals Hutchy's scored over the past six, seven weeks," McKinna said.

"It's just unfortunate he's done the ligaments in his knee and will be out for the next few months. But we'll have (striker) Stewart Petrie back next week, and Adam Kwasnik was able to get a good run. One door closes and another one opens."

Sydney FC has won just one of its past six A-League games, and will be without McFlynn for the next two weeks after the ill-disciplined midfielder received his seventh yellow card of the season.

While pleased with the draw, Sydney coach Pierre Littbarski was left to lament his side's failure to stifle Pondeljak's goal.

"We had three players around Pondeljak, he hit it well, but we had to get back the ball... the A-League is not that bad that you can allow so many chances, and... in the end we just gave the ball to him on a plate - 'just score please'. That can't happen if you're aiming for the title," Littbarski said.

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