The home side took a first-half lead at Campbelltown Stadium on Monday through Daniel De Silva, before 16-year-old Eames equalised for the visitors as Mariners skipper Trent Sainsbury finally featured in his first game after returning to the club in the off-season.
Earning a corner kick, Eames put his side level when his attempt ricocheted in off the far post in the 53rd minute.
It was Eames' first game in the run-on line-up, making him the club's youngest starting player. He then became its youngest goal scorer.
Macarthur had a chance to restore their lead when Mariners substitute Christian Theoharus tripped over Valere Germain just outside the box in the 68th minute, but Marin Jakolis could only send the ball into the wall.
The Bulls' night grew worse when Tomi Uskok was sent off for grounding Alou Kuol in the box in the 90th minute, but the Mariners were wasteful with the penalty.
WHAT A MOMENT 🥹🙌 16-year-old Haine Eames becomes the youngest ever goalscorer in — Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) @CCMariners history!Yet another record broken by the young gun. Just incredible.📺 Watch #MACvCCM live and exclusive now on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/FUiyxrIwuSDecember 23, 2024
Mark Jackson's Central Coast remain 10th after avoiding back-to-back defeats, buoyed by a four-point buffer against Newcastle.
Sainsbury was on the bench for his first game after his return was delayed by a chest injury, joining the fray in the 80th minute.
The Mariners are set to welcome back the calvary in the coming weeks, with Miguel Di Pizio (knee) and Nicholas Duarte (ankle) in line to return in January.
Meanwhile, Mile Sterjovski's men are fifth (12 points) on the table and undefeated in four games but will have to move on quickly, with an away trip to Perth Glory on Friday.
De Silva added his name to the score sheet for Macarthur in the 11th minute by accident, the ball deflecting off his face after Jed Drew sent a rocket from close range.
Set up by a classy pass from Germain, left-winger Jakolis ran down open pastures and warded off a line of Mariners defenders to execute a cut-back to Drew in the box.
De Silva, who was lurking near the goal line, survived a VAR check for offside.
The visitors had their best chance five minutes later when Noah Smith delivered his own cut-back, but Kuol was too late to the ball.
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