Perth shocks Central Coast 2-1 in A-League

SYDNEY (AP) -Alistair Edwards began his tenure as coach of the Perth Glory by leading his last-placed team to a 2-1 win over first-placed Central Coast in the A-League.

Edwards took over as coach in the week before the match, after the firing of Ian Ferguson who led Perth to last year's grand final but had been unable to rouse it from an eight-match winless streak.

Perth went a goal down when Bernie Ibini scored for Central Coast after only 13 minutes. But Edwards' decision to start Nick Ward in midfield - the only change from Ferguson's last match in charge - paid dividends when Ward set up acting captain Travis Dodd for the equalizer.

New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz scored the winner, heading home a right wing cross from defender Josh Risden in the 61st minute.