Say what you like about Tony Walmsley's Mariners, but they never, ever die wondering.
Even after going behind to a fantastic goal by one who was once their own in Michael McGlinchey, they rallied.
Central Coast didn't just have a go, they threw the kitchen sink at Wellington, and the only surprise was that Roy O'Donovan's equaliser took so long to come.
Wellington's goal was early, perhaps too much so.
Debutant Justin Gulley was quick to release Roy Krishna, whose cross field ball picked out McGlinchey.
His touch inside sold Jake McGing, and McGlinchey's finish was laser accurate beyond Paul Izzo.
From the adversity of the early setback, Central Coast suddenly found their mojo and began to play the football with which they've been associated this season.
Roy O'Donovan had the ball in the back of the net on the half hour but it was correctly ruled out for offside.
Ben Sigmund was then booked after he took down Mitch Austin, in for the suspended Nick Fitzgerald.
The Mariners' brass band and the driving rain gave the match an apocalyptic feel, as the Mariners pushed on with the same intensity as the weather which had arrived.
Liam rose tested Wellington 'keeper Glen Moss with a stinging drive, but the Phoenix survived the onslaught and made it to the break with their lead intact.
Such was the impact of Austin against Gulley, Ernie Merrick made a tactical change at the break, replacing Jeffrey Sarpong with Alex Rufer, to help Gulley keep an eye on the Mariners' speedster.
Dan Heffernan was given an opportunity to partner O"Donovan in attack as the Mariners tried to take control of a second half which had become sloppy, with neither side able to exert any influence over proceedings.
Roly Bonevacia, who had been quiet as the match passed him by, lashed a shot against the outside of the post on the hour mark, a reminder of his prowess from distance.
Replays showed that Izzo got a tiny fingertip on the shot - a great save.
It was a stop magnified in significance when O'Donovan rose highest from the Mariners' 13th corner of the game to grab his side a deserved share of the spoils.
Central Coast Mariners 1 (O'Donovan 76')
Wellington Phoenix 1 (McGlinchey 8')
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Referee: Chris Beath
