THE Newcastle Jets broke their goal drought but are still searching for their first win of the season after a 2-all draw against A-League champions Central Coast at Hunter Stadium on Saturday night.
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After failing to find the net in the first three games of the season, the Jets finally had cause to celebrate in the 51st minute when defender Scott Neville fired home after a goal-mouth scramble.
It was Newcastle's first goal in 457 minutes, dating back to the penultimate round of last season.
Five minutes later, they doubled their lead after a goal that will feature on bloopers-and-blunders vision for many years to come.
After a back pass from skipper John Hutchinson, Mariners goalkeeper Justin Pasfield took his eye off the ball for a split-second, long enough for it to pass under his foot and across the line.
Pasfield has probably never been more embarrassed but the Jets gleefully accepted the own-goal gift.
Jets coach Gary van Egmond was not allowed, however, to breathe easily for long.
Seven minutes later, defender Connor Chapman hand-balled inside the penalty box and, on the second attempt, Marcos Flores reduced the visitors' deficit to 2-1.
The Mariners continued to pile on the pressure but Newcastle defended grimly, desperate for a win.
Eventually the home side cracked and Mile Sterjovski nailed an 80th equaliser.
There was a roar from the 13,474-strong crowd four minutes later when Adam Taggart put the ball in the back of the net for Newcastle, only for the young striker to be ruled off-side and given a yellow card for time wasting.
The competition point lifted Newcastle from last place to seventh, one point behind the top six.
Marquee striker Emile Heskey was a late scratching for the Jets.
Heskey, who injured his knee in the pre-season, had been expected to make his comeback off the bench but withdrew after noticing a "twinge" at training on Friday.
He was replaced in the squad by youngster Craig Goodwin.
Newcastle enjoyed the better of the first half but a couple of powerful strikes from man-of-the-match Andrew Hoole were the closest either team came to scoring.
The only other notable action before half-time was of the disciplinary variety.
Newcastle's Ben Kantarovski (13th minute) and Hoole (30th minute) received yellow cards for rough challenges.
There was also a melee in the 40th minute after a tackle by Jets defender Kew Jaliens that caused tempers to flare.
