A match that promised so much ended in total frustration for the Newcatle Jets after they were held to a scoreless draw by the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Friday night.
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Three points were there for the taking for the visitors. They dominated large periods but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
They huffed and puffed, but couldn't deliver a killer blow.
Substitute Kosta Petratos, after scoring the winner against Sydney FC on Tuesday night, had a chance to be the hero late again.
In the 80th minute, he made a run in behind and latched onto a Jason Hoffman cross but Mark Birighitti produced a reflex save. It was one of three good saves by the one-time Jets custodian.
"You have to score goals. If you don't score goals, you are obviously not going to win games of football," Jets coach Carl Robinson lamented. "The first two-thirds of the field, I thought we were excellent. Our build-up play, our movement, our rotations... the middle third of the field created opportunities to get us into the final third. Where we lacked a little bit tonight was the end product. Three times in the opening 20 minutes we over hit passes. Numerous times we got into crossing positions and hit the first man. Those are the small details that decide games and if you don't do those correctly, you don't score. If you don't score you don't win."
The draw ended a run of 11 straight losses for the Mariners and coach Alen Stajcic praised his side's commitment and determination.
"It has been a tough trot with all the losses ... to be able to show that resilience tonight was really pleasing," he said. "We copped one goal the other night and kept a clean sheet tonight. Newcastle had a couple of half chances and Biris made a world-class save."
The point moved the Jets to seventh place on 28 points. With games against Western United and Wellington Phoenix remaining, the most Newcastle can tally is 34. Adelaide are sixth on 30 points and have four games to play.
Jets boss Carl Robinson went with the same XI that shot down Sydney FC 2-1 on Tuesday night, meaning Dimi Petratos and Joe Ledley were left on the bench for a second game.
There was no room in the squad for Panamanian striker Adbiel Arroyo. His spot went to Lucas Mauragis, who was promoted from the youth team to the senior squad this week.
Mariners coach Alen Stajcic gave a debut to Sudanese refugee Alou Kuol in one of two changes from the 1-0 defeat to Perth last Saturday.
The early signs were good for the Jets. They continually pulled the Mariners apart but were let down by heavy touches and stray final balls.
Most of the Jets attack came down the right through Matt Millar and Bernie Ibini.
The visitors had a whopping 75 per cent of the ball in the first half. Total control.
All that was missing was a goal. That was mainly due to poor delivery in the final third.
Birighitti had to drop low to stop a low drive from Ibini in the 38th minute. The keeper was up to the task again a minute later, denying a left-foot effort from the same man.
Stajcic had seen enough and didn't wait until half-time to make a change, introducing Josh Nisbet for Jacob Melling in the 42nd minute to try to cut off the supply down their left side.
Samuel Silvera had the Mariners' only chance of the half just before the break.
There was plenty of venom on the shot at the near post but it arrowed straight at Lewis Italiano.
The Mariners went close two minutes after the break when a corner fell for Milan Djuric, but his shot rose just over the crossbar.
In need of a goal, Dimi Petratos was introduced for Ibini after 55 minutes.
Seven minutes later Hoffman replaced Millar, who limped off with a hamstring strain, and Kosta Petratos was also pitched into the action.
Dimi Petratos had a golden chance in transition but his off balanced-effort blazed high and wide before his brother's effort at the death.
