NEWCASTLE Jets were left to lament how they didn't take three points let alone lose 2-1 to Adelaide United after the visitors dominated everywhere bar the scoreboard at Coopers Stadium on Sunday night.
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A flash of individual brilliance by former Soccer James Troisi in the 83rd minute and outstanding goal-keeping by Paul Izzo proved the difference.
After going behind 1-0 courtesy of a George Blackwood goal in the 30th minute, the Jets equalised through Matt Millar three minutes into the second haIf.
From there is was all Newcastle.
They were camped at the Reds' end for large periods. At one point the shot count was 28-11 and finished 31-13 to the visitors. Izzo was credited with six saves. It seemed like he made 100.
It has been the story of the Jets' season.
Millar, though bitterly disappointed, tried to put a bright spin on the result.
"We fought hard, created a lot of chances and I thought we were pretty good defensively except for a couple of little lapses," Millar said. "We will take the positives from a good performance. We are making the right runs and putting threatening balls in behind. I think the goals will come and it will click for us."
Fox Sports analyst and former Socceroo Mark Bosnich had no doubts who deserved to win the match.
"It just goes to show sometimes, like the Brazilians say, in football there is no justice," Bosnich said. "I feel very sorry for the Jets."
The Jets played some scintillating football in the opening 15 minutes, despite searing conditions which required two drinks breaks in each half.
Millar created havoc down the right and set up a great opportunity for Nick Fitzgerald in the 18th minute but his shot thundered into the post.
It was a sign of things to come.
In the 28th minute, Steve Ugarkovic struck the crossbar, the rebound fell for Dimi Petratos who picked out Angus Thurgate. But somehow Izzo got a leg out to block his attempt from point-blank.
A minute later the Jets were behind.
In a rare incursion into the Jets box, Al Hassan Toure tip-toed along the by-line and picked out Blackwood who slotted home for 1-0 at the second drinks break.
The Jets had two strong penalty claims turned down and another couple of half-chances before half-time as their frustration rose.
For all the chances the Jets had created in open play, the equaliser came from a set piece.
Petratos delivered an in-swinging corner and Millar muscled in front of Michael Jakobson and turned a header inside the left post.
Millar then stung the gloves of Izzo and the keeper scrambled to deny Thurgate and Fitzgerald as the shots continued to flow.
All that was missing was a killer blow.
Incredibly it was Adelaide who delivered it in the 83rd minute.
From a throw-in, Troisi caught beat Ben Kantarovski off guard and then beat Jackson in a slalom run before sliding a shot past Glen Moss.
