A LATE goal to Ben Kantarovski earned the Newcastle Jets a 1-all draw with ladder leaders Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
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Despite doing more of the defending, Newcastle’s form had vastly improved from last week’s performance in Adelaide.
Jets coach Scott Miller had to re-jig his side as Newcastle welcomed back the influential Leonardo to their midfield, but were without captain Nigel Boogard and top-scorer Milos Trifunovic.
The Roar were at full-strength and were desperate for a win after a frustrating draw at home to Melbourne City last week.
In an open contest, the two sides traded blows in the opening minutes.
Newcastle’s Dave Carney hit the crossbar with a swerving strike from just outside the box, before the Roar’s Dimi Petratos’ stinging 30-yard drive somehow stayed out after crashing off the inside of the upright.
Brisbane dominated possession and territory for the majority of the first-half, but it was the Jets who should have taken the lead on 35 minutes.
On his starting debut, 19-year-old striker Braedyn Crowley produced the miss of the season.
Enver Alivodic’s low cross was deflected into Crowley’s path with the youngster free at the back post and the goal gaping.
The otherwise impressive Crowley managed to sky his shot into the crossbar from no more than one metre from the goal line.
The Roar did look the better side and took the lead shortly after the break through Jamie Maclaren.
The striker ghosted in behind and picked up a pass from Brandon Borrello, before he sold Lachlan Jackson with a dummy and slotted home past an outstretched Mark Birighitti.
Maclaren had the chance to double the Roar’s lead five minutes after nipping a loose ball away from Jason Hoffman, but his shot was smothered by Birighitti.
Newcastle came back into the match as the half wore on and were rewarded when Kantarovski lashed home an equaliser after a goal-mouth scramble in the 71st minute.
Carney’s dangerous corner wasn’t dealt with by the Roar and the ball fell nicely to Kantarovski who scored his second goal of the season.
The Jets can be happy with a point, but the result leaves them without a win in four games.
Newcastle will face Sydney FC on Friday, December 4.