However, Western’s hearts were promptly broken by the head of Raiders’ Dominique Caridad who put her side 1-0 up in the dying stages.

A young Mariners team down on senior strike power put in a brave performance against a tough opponent, but the hosts eventually found the breakthrough.

“In the first half we had our chances, had the bigger share of possession and kept them camped in their own half,” Mariners coach Jason Payne said.

“Unfortunately we lost our two captains. We had one [Kristy Collingridge] go off with a hip injury late in the first half then another [Teegan Courtney] off with illness. That meant we finished the game with a fairly young side down two senior players.

“I felt we lost our passing and our shape in the second half then they started to get on top of us.”

Mariners now sit three points outside the crucial top four spots with just four matches left to play.

Sadly for Western the gap is almost certain to increase after this weekend’s round.

Mariners have the bye, and fourth placed St George FC take on a struggling Parramatta FC outfit.

Payne said the timing of the bye can benefit his side.

“It’s good because we’ve got a few players with niggling injuries. This gives us a chance to rest up and then get ready for the last weeks of the season,” he said.