It was another day of frustration for Jets fans, with Newcastle letting a lead slip for the fourth time.

Colombian striker Edson Montano gave Newcastle the lead in the 48th minute, but the Jets were unable to consolidate and only managed to pick up their fourth draw of the season.

The match was a largely dour affair, which didn't live up to the derby tag.

The Mariners looked the better of the two sides in the first-half, with Central Coast captain John Hutchinson dictating terms in midfield and the Jets forced to play on the counter.

However, Newcastle came out of the sheds firing after half-time and promptly took the lead.

There was a hint of fortune about the goal, as Montano latched on to a series of ricochets in the box to lash the ball past Mariners' keeper Liam Reddy.

Newcastle seemed to retreat into its shell after the goal as the Mariners laid siege to the Jets' goal, and they were back on level terms when Richard Vernes tapped home at the near post from a Mick Neil cross in the 55th minute.

Both sides tried to win the game in the closing stages; Newcastle's Marcos Flores hit the crossbar following some great play from Jets' substitute Andrew Hoole.

It was Jets goalkeeper Ben Kennedy who proved to be the hero, when the gloveman tipped a goal-bound effort from Matt Sim around the post as injury time loomed.