But coach John Aloisi felt they deserved more.
United will head into an extended break within touching distance of the top two after captain Ben Garuccio's wonderful free kick equaliser in the 74th minute headlined an exciting clash at Ironbark Fields.
In-form striker Noah Botic had headed United in front in the 33rd minute.
Noah Botic continued his fine goalscoring form for Western United FC against the Mariners. (Scott Barbour/AAP PHOTOS)
The Mariners equalised through Mikel Doka's chaotic free kick in the 39th minute, before taking the lead via Ryan Edmondson three minutes later.
Garuccio then equalised before goalkeeper Matt Sutton twice denied Mikael Doka in injury time, the first when making a brilliant one-on-one save and again from an attempted bicycle kick, to earn United a point.
"I wouldn't say that we're pleased to just get a point, because I thought that we were very dominant in that first half. We were in total control of the game," John Aloisi said.
"They're a tough team to play against. They've drawn so many games this year, they've only lost, I think, the same amount as us.
"But they make it hard for you and but we created enough chances to win the football game."
United sit third on 25 points, five points off the top, while Mark Jackson's Mariners (19 points) are still three points outside the top six.
The first half was a see-sawing affair until Riku Danzaki burst forward and picked out Botic to flick home his seventh goal of the season just after the half-hour mark.
The Mariners equalised when Doka's skidding free kick evaded everyone, including Sutton, and nestled in the goal.Â
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Minutes later, Haine Eames brilliantly released Nathan Paull down the left.
Paull unleashed a first-time cross and Edmondson tapped home at the back post.
United equalised when Garuccio curled a free kick around the wall and it caught Peraic-Cullen unawares and skidded into the bottom corner.
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Rhys Bozinovski had a late chance to slip through Abel Walatee but blasted a shot over the bar, while Hiroshi Ibusuki turned a close-range effort wide in the 89th minute before the Mariners' late chances.
The Mariners have a tight turnaround before hosting Saturday's derby against Newcastle.
"We went into half time 2-1 up and I thought that was probably Western were hard done by that in the first half. We weren't really happy with how we performed," Jackson said.
"The point is not what we wanted. We wanted three points because we know we want to move up the table, and that's what we need to do, win games.
"But we'll take the point and then we'll try and build on that in the next game against Newcastle."
United have another break, returning to action away to Macarthur on February 9.
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