The Newcastle Jets have drawn 0-0 with Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium on Friday night.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets have maintained their spot in the top six after playing out a 0-0 draw with Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium on Friday night.
With a place in the A-League top six on the line, both sides started the match at a frantic pace, despite the wet and windy conditions at Hunter Stadium.
It was the home side who had the first clear-cut opportunity of the game with Josh Brillante-s pinpoint cross picking out Emile Heskey-s run to the near post.
However, the ball came to Heskey at an awkward height and the former England international was only able to hit his first-time volley into the post under pressure from the Roar defence.
Just two minutes later another cross from Brillante once again caused problems for the Roar defence, with Adam Taggart ghosting into the box unmarked.
The Young Socceroo tried to hit a first-time shot with his instep, but he miscued his effort and the Roar were able to clear their lines.
Despite their strong start, the Jets were lucky not to fall behind in the 16th minute when the ball ricocheted off the head of Zenon Caravella in the Jets penalty area, before hitting the post as goalkeeper Mark Birighitti stood stranded.
Birighitti was called into action 10 minutes later when he came off his line to make a brilliant save with his foot to deny Besart Berisha in a one-on-one scenario.
As the weather conditions deteriorated at Hunter Stadium, Brisbane looked to have taken the lead when Jade North poked the ball home from close range.
However, the linesman-s flag was up for offside and the goal was disallowed, meaning the two sides went into the break level.
The Jets were the first to go on the attack after the interval with Heskey setting up Zadkovich to hit a powerful low drive from just outside the area that forced Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo to make a diving save.
Theo was again called into action when Heskey-s hold-up play created more problems for the Roar defence in the 72nd minute. This time the ex-Liverpool striker laid the ball off to Taggart who stung the palms of the Brisbane shot-stopper with a vicious strike.
Brisbane responded almost instantly with Ivan Franjic playing Besart Berisha into space, however the Albanian could not get enough power behind his shot to beat Birighitti who made a comfortable low save.
In the end, the greasy conditions made it difficult for either team to find a break through and despite the Jets- best efforts to score a winner in the dying stages, the clash ended in a scoreless draw.
Newcastle Jets 0
Brisbane Roar 0
Crowd 8,310 at Hunter Stadium
Newcastle Jets: 3. Zenon Caravella, 5. Dominik Ritter, 8. Ruben Zadkovich (c), 9. Emile Heskey, 12. Josh Brillante, 13. Sam Gallaway, 14. Taylor Regan, 19. Michael Bridges (25. Mitch Cooper 66-), 20. Mark Birighitti (gk), 22. Adam Taggart (17. James Virgili 81-), 23. Ryan Griffiths (26. Andrew Hoole 90-).
Yellow cards: Zadkovich 23-, Gallaway 34-.
Substitutes not used: 1. Ben Kennedy (gk).
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael Theo (gk), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 5. Ivan Franjic (11. Ben Halloran 82-), 7. Besart Berisha, 9. Stef Nijland (10. Henrique 82-), 13. Jade North, 14. Steven Lustica, 15. James Donachie, 18. Luke Brattan (17. Mitch Nichols 52-), 19. Jack Hingert, 22. Thomas Broich (c).
Yellow cards: Nijland 35-, Stefanutto 74-.
Substitutes not used: 20. Matt Acton (gk).
