Two goals in as many minutes from Pablo Sanchez has guided Adelaide United to a 2-0 win over Central Coast Mariners at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday.

The Spaniard opened his A-League account in the 40th and 42nd minute to keep the Reds’ undefeated start to the season intact and move his side back up into second spot, a point behind league leader Perth Glory.

The Mariners finished the match with 10-men when Nick Montgomery was shown a second yellow card 19 minutes from time for a foul on Michael Marrone.

After a slow start, the home side carved out the first real chance on 22 minutes when Michael Neill slipped in Mitch Duke but the forward could only direct his shot straight into the arms of Reds keeper Euguene Galekovic.

Central Coast went close 15 minutes later but again Galekovic was equal to the task, tipping Matt Sim’s free kick over the bar.

United then broke the deadlock almost immediately after that, but it was not without a slice of luck.

Fabio Ferreira’s cross from the right wing took a heavy deflection off Neill and looped towards the back post where Sanchez was on hand to nod the ball into the net from just three metres out and record his maiden A-League goal.

He didn’t have to wait long to claim his second and it came courtesy of a gut-busting run from full back Tarek Elrich.

Elrich collected the ball in his own half and carried the ball a full 70 metres, slaloming his way past five opponents before cutting the ball back inside the area.

Again it was Mariners defender Neill who assisted Sanchez, deflecting Elrich’s cross straight into the path of the Spaniard who slammed home his shot from just inside the area.

United cruised through much of the second half, resting on their 2-0 lead while the Mariners tried desperately to find a way back into the contest.

Substitute Glen Trifiro looked lively and tested Galekovic from the edge of the area but his influence and any chance of a revival was halted when Central Coast were reduced to 10 men after Montgomery was expelled for a second bookable offence.

Awer Mabil and Isaias both had shots saved by Liam Reddy in the final minutes before the Mariners keeper was shown a yellow for a fouling Craig Goodwin outside the area.

Reddy was racing back towards his own goal after being involved in attacking a corner at the other end just seconds earlier and took out Goodwin who was bearing down on an empty net.

Mabil blasted the resulting free kick just past the post in the final attack for the Reds as they recorded a third consecutive away victory in as many road trips.

The Reds meet fierce rival Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Friday night with Kevin Muscat’s side also undefeated and two points behind United in third, level with Sydney FC.

United are expected to welcome back Marcelo Carrusca and Bruce Djite for the clash.

Sunday 23 November
Central Coast Mariners 0
Adelaide United 2 (P. Sanchez 40’/42’)
6404 @ Central Coast Stadium