A late Simon Cox goal secured a 1-1 draw for Western Sydney Wanderers at Central Coast Mariners that could prove to be important in the A-League top-six battle.

The Wanderers looked to be heading for defeat in their first match since the competition restarted after Milan Djuric struck just before the hour mark at Central Coast Stadium.

Duric had earlier seen a long-range effort hit the crossbar and Mohamed Adam slammed a shot off the woodwork in an even contest, but the Bosnia-Herzegovina international made no mistake from Matt Simon's cut-back.

The Mariners looked to be heading for a first win in 13 until Cox glanced in Mitchell Duke's cross with two minutes of normal time remaining.

The Wanderers are four points outside the top six, with a game in hand on sixth-place Adelaide United, while the Mariners are certain to finish bottom for the fourth time in the past five seasons.