Central Coast beats Perth 1-0 in A-League

SYDNEY (AP) -Central Coast beat Perth 1-0 on Monday to ensure it ended 2012 atop Australian football's A-League.

Bernie Ibini-Isei's left-foot shot in the 68th minute produced the only goal of the match, enough to ensure that Central Coast carried first place into the New Year.

The win was Central Coast's ninth in 14 matches this season and left it five points ahead of Adelaide United who were due to play ninth-place Sydney FC later Monday.

Adelaide now needs a win to preserve the two-point gap on Central Coast that existed at the start of the 14th round.

In other 14th round matches, the Melbourne Heat will play Newcastle, Western Sydney will play the Melbourne Victory and Brisbane will host Wellington.