Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory have left the Hunter Stadium with a point apiece following a 1-1 draw in their A-League encounter.
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The Jets took control of the contest in the first five minutes of the fixture having had the majority of play, but failed to get any shot on target.
Emile Heskey came close to giving the lead to the home side when the ball soared into the box from a corner kick, but he jumped too high to get his head on it and the opportunity went missing.
The visitors' backline continued to be stretched in the first half as the Jets piled on the pressure, but they failed to find that clinical finish as a strike from Ruben Zadkovich deflected out.
Victory managed to up their game as the half continued, but it was the hosts who eventually found the breakthrough when a delivery into the box from Craig Goodwin found the head of Jacob Pepper.
The midfielder headed the ball down for goal and it reached the back of the net after coming off the shoulder of Mitch Nichols.
Just minutes into the second half, Victory were able to draw level when a sliding pass from Kosta Barbarouses broke the line to find the feet of Andrew Nabbout, who just tapped it into the net.
Despite conceding early in the second half, the Jets looking dominate through the middle of the park, but once again they failed to make an impact in the final third.
The home side had more chances to take all three points on home turf, but Victory were able to hold firm and finish the match level.
Danielle Joynson
