Roar boost title defence

A-LEAGUE Champions Brisbane Roar gave their title defence a boost with a 2-0 victory over league leaders Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.

Goals from Erik Paartalu and Besart Berisha secured the win for the visitors.

Paartalu gave his team the ideal start when he struck the opener in the fifth minute.

And Berisha added the second in the 38th minute.

Mariners, however, stay top of the table. Roar are in third place.

Saturday was derby-day in Melbourne with Heart and Victory clashing at AMMI Park.

The game finished goalless and the result sees Victory still five points adrift of their neighbours.

In the one A-League game played on Friday night, Adelaide United stumbled at home, losing 2-1 to Wellington Phoenix FC.