The Central Coast Mariners have continued their dream start to the A-League season with a 1-0 away victory over Queensland Roar, but coach Lawrie McKinna described it their worst performance of the season.

Just under 9,000 fans at a damp Suncorp Stadium saw the Roar put the top of the table, undefeated Mariners under sustained attacking pressure for almost the duration of the second half, but like seasons before the Queenslanders couldn't capitalise on encouraging build-up play.

A dour first half opened up to an exciting end-to-end match in the second stanza, sparked by the only goal of the match, coming from the boot of Mariners midfielder Adam Kwasnik after a 55th minute corner.

Damien Brown passed deep to Kwasnik from the set piece, who then drilled a low, hard shot through a forest of Roar and Mariner legs to somehow find the back of the net.

McKinna revealed after the match the goal came from a rehearsed move.

"I saw them (Roar) play last week and just noticed that they drop quite deep at corners, when they're defending corners, and we thought we could put (Andre) Gumprecht into the box and go in and open up the space for the short one, and it worked a treat," he said.

Roar coach Farina said the goal came against the run of play and was baffled as to how the ball managed to sneak in.

"I don't even think it was a real chance," Farina said.

"How the hell the ball travelled through 12, 15 sets of legs and didn't touch anyone ... I've been in football long enough to know when you see games like that and you're dominating and you're creating chances, you just know that you're probably going to get caught with a sucker punch."

Despite a wealth of scoring opportunities over the next 35 minutes the Roar couldn't find an equaliser, with a combination of poor finishing and great saves from Mariners fill-in `keeper and Central Coast youngster Matthew Trott combining to frustrate the home team.

The Roar's best chance came in the 73rd minute when Brazilian striker Reinaldo headed to the right corner of goal in a crowded penalty area, only for the ball to be tipped out by the fingertips of an outstretched Trott.

"Matthew Trott was outstanding," McKinna said of the keeper, who replaced regular gloveman Danny Vukovic, on Olyroos duty.

"It was probably the worst we've played in the three games but defensively it was great."

Farina said missed chances were the biggest issue for the Roar to overcome in coming weeks.

"We created enough chances, we played some good football ... but we've got to finish," Farina said.

"I think sometimes the lads are trying too hard."

Renowned hard man Danny Tiatto enhanced his reputation when he dislocated his left shoulder in the 25th minute, only to pop it back in place and play on seemingly unaffected.

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