The Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar played out an entertaining 0-0 draw at a rain-soaked Hunter Stadium in the A-League on Friday.
Newcastle goalkeeper Mark Birighitti and opposite number Michael Theo produced some top saves to keep clean sheets as the game ebbed and flowed with the Jets starting well before the Roar took control until half-time.
The home side came out more determined in the second half and forced several strong saves from Theo.
For the most part of the second half, the Roar attacked on the counter but could not get past the Jets glovesman and in the end both sides had to settle for a draw.
The draw sees both sides stay in the hunt for a finals place with Newcastle climbing to 27 points – equal with fifth-placed Sydney FC – while the Roar are just two points behind in seventh.
The Jets started brightly and had several great chances to open the scoring inside the first 10 minutes.
Emile Heskey hit the post in the sixth minute when he got on the end of a Zenon Caravella cross before an unmarked Adam Taggart miscued his shot from inside the box just a few moments later.
It started pouring rain in the 12th minute and it seemed to spark the Roar into action.
Thomas Brioch saw his shot well saved by a desperate Birighitti in the Newcastle goal after a break by Brisbane striker Besart Berisha.
A few moments later the Jets custodian was again called into action to cut off a Broich pass to Berisha in front goal.
The Roar started to control proceedings and looked like taking the lead when Ivan Franic played in Berisha but Birighitti spread himself to deny the Albanian marksman.
The visitors continued to attack and eventually put the ball in the net just before half-time when
Jade North got on the end of Broich cross but the goal appeared to be wrongly disallowed for offside.
In an even second half, both teams had their chances but a draw always looked the most likely result as they picked up a point each.
