Both teams were looking to continue their strong run of form and take another step towards securing finals football at polytec Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Fourth-placed Adelaide started the faster of the two sides, creating a number of early chances down the right flank.
The Mariners high press continues to create problems in the A-League as Adelaide found out in the 13th minute, with Ali Auglah picking up the ball high up the field before being chopped down on the edge of the 18-yard box.
The free kick was set up nicely for Auglah, but his strike was comfortably collected by Adelaide shot-stopper Joshua Smits.
Chances were few and far between for the home side, with Adelaide dominating possession and largely keeping the Mariners pinned in their own half.
Goalkeeper and captain Andrew Redmayne showed his value in the opening 45 minutes, making a number of important saves to keep the score level heading into the break.
The pressure continued from the visitors to open the second half, but the Mariners’ defence remained resolute.
11 minutes into the second half, Head Coach Warren Moon decided changes were needed, with Sabit Ngor and Nathanael Blair coming on to replace Kaito Taniguchi and Oli Lavale.
Just two minutes later, Warren Moon’s genius was revealed as a fleet-footed Sabit Ngor latched onto a mistake by the Adelaide goalkeeper, leaving the substitute with an empty net to secure his sixth A-League career goal, and his third against Adelaide.
With momentum now on their side, the Mariners kept pushing, with some tidy footwork from Ali Augulah creating space on the edge of the 18-yard box, but his shot whistled just wide of the post.
A quadruple-substitution in the 67th minute by the visitors fed some energy into Adelaide as they continued to push for an equaliser.
Both sides trade chances with the pace of Sabit Ngor and Nathanael Blair proving a challenge for the Adelaide defence.
The consistent pressure finally paid off for the visitors in the 87th minute after a slick passing move saw the ball end up at the feet of Ethan Alagich in the penalty area, who steered the ball just inside the far right-hand upright.
Despite additional substitutions from both sides, neither team was able to find a decisive second goal and secure all three points.
The draw sees the Mariners’ unbeaten streak continue to eight games (4W, 4D) and they remain in sixth place on the A-League ladder.
Looking ahead, the Mariners travel to Melbourne to take on the Victory at AAMI Park next Saturday.
