Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka has urged his team to display some fighting character after watching his charges slump to their second A-League loss on the trot.

Second-half goals from unheralded Glory striker Scott Bulloch and Serbian sniper Branko Jelic inspired Perth to a 2-0 triumph at ME Bank Stadium on Sunday and sent Sydney tumbling to second on the table, two points adrift of Melbourne.

Lavicka admitted Sydney’s mid-season stumble had dented confidence but pleaded with his players to atone in next Sunday’s home clash with Newcastle.

“Every player is disappointed of course but we need to pick up our confidence and show to ourselves that our team is able to play well,” Lavicka said.

“Every good team is able to show character when we lose the game.

“Now we have a chance to do it.”

Both Sydney and Perth struggled to create chances in a lacklustre but at times physical first half before the second-half introduction of Mile Sterjovski sparked Glory to life.

Sterjovski, who had been grounded for most of the week with a stomach bug, put Sydney’s defence on edge but it was Bulloch who dealt the damage, heading home Jamie Coyne’s deflected cross in the 57th minute.

Lavicka introduced John Aloisi in the 64th minute as Sydney went on the attack but Jelic put the issue to bed from point-blank range two minutes from time after a searing run and centre from Sterjovski.

While Melbourne (27 points) and Sydney (25 points) have set the pace this season, Glory coach Dave Mitchell said fourth-placed Central Coast, who Perth play away next week, should also be classed as a title favourite.

The Mariners (23 points) thrashed North Queensland 5-1 on Saturday just a week after inflicting a 4-0 loss on Melbourne.

Those wins saw the Mariners boost their for and against to +13, having conceded just nine goals in 15 matches and scoring 22, an attacking record second only to Melbourne.

“Everyone keeps overlooking them but they’ll be title contenders if they keep going,” Mitchell said.

“Everyone keeps knocking them and he (coach Lawrie McKinna) just keeps lapping it up because they keep coming out and performing.

“When you look at what they’ve done in the last two games, they’ve been away from home, they’ve scored nine goals, conceded one. It’s going to be a hell of a tough challenge but it’s one we won’t shirk. We’ll go there.

“But we go there with confidence and we certainly aren’t daunted by the task.”

Wellington kept up their charge for a top-six finish with a 1-0 win over Newcastle in blistering heat on Sunday at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
The loss left the Jets languishing in ninth place on 16 points, alongside Brisbane and only one ahead of last placed North Queensland.

Melbourne kept their momentum going with a desperate 1-0 win over the Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night while Adelaide rescued a point with a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Gold Coast at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.

The result kept Adelaide seventh on 17 points, while Gold Coast remain third in their debut season on 24 points.

© AAP 2012

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.