Sydney FC moved back into the A-League's top five and dented the Central Coast Mariners' title hopes with a 2-0 win at the Allianz Stadium.

Defender Sebastian Ryall opened the scoring in the 25th minute with the help of a deflection and substitute Joel Chianese added a second - his first of the season - soon after coming on with a little over a quarter of an hour left as Sydney won their sixth straight at home, but first in three.

Defeat for the Mariners leaves them two points off the summit with the Western Sydney Wanderers due to take on the struggling Wellington Phoenix tomorrow.

Brisbane Roar, kicking off in the late game, could have overhauled Sydney, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw with the third-placed Melbourne Victory, with Ivan Franjic scoring a fine equaliser just before the hour mark to cancel out Leigh Broxham's early header for Melbourne.

The dropped points for the Victory at least provided some good news for the Mariners, who are five points clear in second place.