COACH Ernie Merrick insists the culture in the Newcastle dressing room and the attitude on the training pitch will ensure their season doesn't spiral after the Jets "went close" again only to suffer more frustration.
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For the third time this season, the Jets conceded a late goal to draw 1-all with the Brisbane Roar on Saturday night and give up much-needed points.
The stalemate was a vast improvement on the heavy defeats to Perth Glory (6-2) and Melbourne City (4-0) but they remain at the bottom of the table, behind the Roar on goal difference, approaching the halfway point of the season.
"To bounce back from the previous two games against Melbourne City and Perth Glory, I thought the boys did really well," Merrick said. "Everyone put in. There were tackles, chasing the ball, going end to end ... it was good stuff from our boys."
Despite the turnaround, the players - and the 7449 fans - were left deflated at full-time.
There was a similar feeling in round five when Perth maestro Diego Castro pounced in the 86th minute for a 1-all draw. Dito in round nine after James Troisi scored an 83rd-minute winner for Adelaide.
"Getting a win is very important every week," Merrick said. "We were very close to it this week. We didn't finish it off, which has been the story of the season.
"They are very good group of lads. The culture and attitude in the change room and on the training pitch has always been good at this club.
"We can only do what we can do. Everyone who is available is in the starting team or on the bench. With the quality of the training I feel we will only get better and better."
The Jets are away to Melbourne Victory next before meeting front runners Sydney (home) and Melbourne City (away).
"Against good teams, who open up, it usually does bring the best out of our team," Merrick said.
On Saturday, Dimi Petratos put the Jets ahead in the 32nd minute when he reacted quickest to slot home a parry by Roar keeper Jamie Young.
The Roar had the better of possession but the Jets held strong until the 87th minute when replacement Roar striker Bradden Inman popped up with a a stunning strike from the edge of the box which went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Angus Thurgate had missed a golden opportunity to kill the game off in the 80th minute when one-on-one with Young.
The keeper made a brilliant reflex effort and then produced a contender for save of the year to clear a Ben Kantarovski header from point blank in injury time.
"The bottom line was that it came down to two very good saves from two very good chances," Merrick said. "Gus one-on-one with Jamie Young who pulled off a save. Then the header from Ben Kantarovski and he pulled off another save. That's the difference. You have to score those."
Roar coach Robbie Fowler agreed that Young was outstanding but said "that is what he is there for."
"He is there to make saves."
Jets striker Abdiel Arroyo has resumed running but is at least a week away from a return. Nigel Boogaard (groin) and Wes Hoolahan (ankle) remain sidelined.
"We can't do anything about that," Merrick said. "Angus is getting better every game and Pat Langlois played really well. The game time given to these boys is very worthwhile, but it will be good to have Arroyo, Wes Hoolahan and Nigel back, as well as Kaine Sheppard when he is fit."
Fowler was disappointed not to come away with three points from a game his side "dominated".
"We are not pleased with the result because I thought we should have won the game," he said.
