Back-to-back home wins in the same season have been a long time coming for the Central Coast Mariners and coach Paul Okon leaves the capital with "a good taste in his mouth".
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Okon says the Mariners would have no issues with returning to Canberra next season after finishing their one-season stint in the capital with a 2-1 win over Adelaide United at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
While the crowd may not have been as big as the Mariners had hoped, the result was the perfect finish to the season in Canberra and one that adds fuel to an unlikely finals charge.
"To come back here again and get three points is obviously great," Okon said.
"In the end we probably could have scored a couple more goals to make the finale a little bit more relaxing."
The win came in front of another small crowd at an A-League fixture in Canberra, raising questions about the capital's desire to have a club to call its own.
The capital caught football fever in the midst of Canberra Olympic's dream FFA Cup run last year which sparked calls for the A-League to establish a permanent presence in the region.
But many believe it's either the Mariners or nothing as far as an A-League presence in Canberra goes, a decision that looks to be in the hands of the ACT government and the club.
The small crowd follows the paltry return of 5497 fans that turned up to the Mariners' last match in Canberra, a 2-0 loss with Wellington in November.
Any concerns about playing in Canberra were put to bed early as the Mariners enjoyed the lion's share of the chances in the early stages of the contest.
Adelaide goal keeper Eugene Galekovic was forced off the field with a shoulder injury in the 31st minute, and the home side made the most of his absence soon after.
Substitute shot stopper John Hall was able to deflect a Connor Pain strike but lightning wouldn't strike twice when Mariners star Ferreira found the back of the net moments later.
Adelaide had plenty of chances to equalise but the man Okon praised as "one of the best young goalkeepers in the country" Paul Izzo produced a host of game-changing efforts to maintain his side's advantage.
Kwabena Appiah put the result beyond doubt in the 79th minute, with the Mariners' second meaning Jordan O'Doherty's impressive stoppage time goal would be in vain.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 2 (Fabio Ferreira '37, Kwabena Appiah '79) bt ADELAIDE UNITED 1 (Jordan O'Doherty 90').
