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Newcastle, Perth play out A-League draw

3 minute read

The Newcastle Jets have snapped a seven-match losing run in the A-League to deny Perth Glory valuable points in a 1-1 draw.

ANDY KEOGH.
ANDY KEOGH. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images

Newcastle ended their club-record losing streak and put a dent in Perth's fading A-League finals hopes despite a fairytale return to the competition for Glory's Joel Chianese.

The 1-1 draw at Coffs Harbour on Tuesday ended a seven-match losing run for the Jets, who missed a glorious chance to win the game when Matt Millar blazed over from close range late in added time.

Perth went winless for a third straight game and remain 10th, seven points off sixth place.

Six of their next seven games are at home, including the last five of those bracket, which will be squeezed into just over two weeks.

Newcastle stayed 11th, but moved one point clear of last-placed Melbourne Victory, who have played two less games.

Back from Indian Super League club Hyderabad, 31-year-old striker Chianese scored within a minute of being brought on just after the hour.

Chianese tapped in from close range after good lead-up work from Bruno Fornaroli and Andy Keogh opened up the Jets's defence .

It was Glory's first goal in more than five hours, but they were unable to secure just a second win in nine games.

The lead lasted just six minutes, with Roy O'Donovan blasting in a penalty awarded after Apostolos Stamatelopoulos was fouled by Kosuke Ota.

It was O'Donovan's 10th goal against Perth, his highest tally against any A-League club.

Perth had more shots in the final quarter with striker Fornaroli having three attempts.

"Possibly it didn't fall for us at the right times but it's a good point away from home," Perth coach Richard Garcia said.

"Something we've probably struggled with is points away from home, so after a tough journey it's always good to get something out of the game."

Newcastle coach Craig Deans praised this team for their commitment, heart and effort, especially after playing three days earlier.

"Tonight we learnt how to not lose a game," Deans said.

"We're not getting carried away with a draw, don't get me wrong, but we ended to break that cycle and we've done it.

"After losing seven games in a row and being close in all of them bar one, you want to break that cycle and especially to come back from a goal down and show some character as well, and get back and equalise and keep pushing to the end."

Socceroo Chris Ikonomidis came on after 70 minutes in his first game for Perth since suffering an ACL injury in February, 2020

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