Kwame Yeboah spoilt a fairytale return to the A-League for Central Coast goalkeeper Liam Reddy, as his stunning late goal earned Brisbane a 1-0 win and returned them to top spot.

The 19-year-old substitute Yeboah smashed an unstoppable right foot shot past Reddy, who had denied the Roar until then with a string of fine saves on his Mariners debut.

It was the least that Brisbane deserved after creating most of the good chances in Sunday’s clash at Bluetongue Stadium.

The Mariners struggled to retain possession and create chances against a more fluent Roar outfit.

Central Coast almost stole the points when Josh Rose hit the woodwork just before Yeboah’s sensational strike.

Reddy, whose A-League career was thrown into doubt after he was sacked by Sydney FC for getting drunk on a flight to New Zealand in 2012, was thrown a lifeline by Mariners coach Graham Arnold.

The 32-year-old custodian made several stops, including an incredible reflex effort to deny Dimi Petratos a goal on his 21st birthday.

Neither team produced a worthwhile effort in the first half-hour, but the game came to life in the last 15 minutes of the period.

Mariners left-back Rose had a shot saved by Michael Theo, but it was Brisbane who finished the half on top.

Roar striker Henrique had a shot acrobatically tipped round the post by Reddy and Matt McKay sent a close-range shot wide from a narrow angle.

Brisbane created almost all of the decent chances in the second half.

Even when Reddy did let a Henrique attempt slip through his hands, defender Trent Sainsbury cleared the ball off the line.

Rose’s effort apart, Brisbane fashioned all the best second-half opportunities, with Reddy also denying Ivan Franjic.

Brisbane Roar: 1 (Yeboah 89)
Central Coast Mariners: 0