World Cup hero John Aloisi laid out his credentials to visiting new Socceroo coach Pim Verbeek after netting again for Central Coast Mariners in their 2-1 win over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Aloisi volleyed home an Andrew Clark cross at the far post in the 23rd minute to claim his fourth goal in five matches before strike partner Sasho Petrovski swept the ball home from close range in the 49th minute to set up victory.

Adelaide captain Paul Agostino also kept up his rich vein of scoring form by netting a looping header in the 71st minute to set up a tense finish.

But it wasn't enough despite some close calls for the Mariners in the dying minutes and they shored up top spot with a game in hand, and moved closer to a double finals chance.

Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna rushed back experienced trio Tom Pondeljak, John Hutchinson and Petrovski after losing out to Queensland the previous match and it paid dividends quickly as his side turned up the heat on an unbalanced Adelaide team which has won just once in its past seven games.

The loss puts extra pressure on Adelaide holding onto a top four spot in that run with combatants Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC to play this weekend.  AAP

The season-long jinx of conceding early goals continued for Wellington Phoenix as they drew 1-1 with Queensland Roar in an A-League soccer match.

Wellington had two milestones in their sights - to notch consecutive wins for the first time after beating Perth 3-0 last week, and to welcome their 100,000th supporter through the turnstile.

They achieved the second milestone as 9384 fans showed up, giving them a total of 102,545 at the Wellington venue this season with one home match remaining.

Queensland were denied a hat-trick of wins over Wellington, having earlier beaten them 2-1 and 3-0.

But they looked little like a side who are second in the table after going in front early.

As has been their fate for most of the season, Wellington fell behind to an early goal.

Queensland took possession in midfield and found right wing Robbie Kruse, who beat defender Steven Old and passed to Massimo Murdocca in the box.

Murdocca found fellow striker Reinaldo with a square pass and goalkeeper Glen Moss had no chance as the Brazilian swept the ball home.

It was Reinaldo's third goal against the Phoenix and his fifth of the season.