Sysney FC coach Steve Corica has lamented the loss of two points after Newcastle substitute Nick Cowburn's first A- League goal salvaged a 1-1 home draw for the Jets .
Sydney led for more than an hour on Saturday night at McDonald Jones Stadium after skipper Alex Brosque's 20th-minute header from a Rhyan Grant cross appeared to go underneath goalkeeper Glen Moss.
Cowburn's 87th-minute equaliser also came from a near-post header via a pinpoint free-kick from Dimi Petratos and rewarded some late sustained pressure from the Jets.
The draw puts Sydney a point clear of Perth, who host Adelaide on Sunday.
The point lifts Newcastle off the bottom on goal difference over Central Coast, who play on Sunday away to Melbourne Victory.
Brosque's goal apart, Sydney fashioned the best opportunities and looked in control for most of the first 75 minutes.
"To concede towards the end of the game like that, that's two points definitely lost," Corica said.
It would have been great to pick up three points because this is a difficult place to come to and pick up three points, and we were almost there.
"They put us under a lot of pressure late in that second half and we defended well from setpieces, except for the one that we conceded.
"Other than that, I thought we were very good. They didn't have many shots on goal, I think we created more chances. We had more balls into the penalty area so for me, I'm happy with the way we played."
The Jets and Sky Blues both had a chance to score a winner in stoppage time.
Sydney substitute Charles Lokolingoy broke clear, but Moss was able to push his shot away, and Cowburn was off target from 35 metres out with goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne well off his line.
Cowburn's equaliser was just Newcastle's third goal of the season.
"We've been performing well in the last three games with nothing to show for it. In the first half, there were very few decent chances," Jets' coach Ernie Merrick said.
"In the second half, I felt that if we could shut down (midfielders Brandon) O'Neill and (Josh) Brillante, that would shut down the service forward.
"It worked really well, and we came into the game more and more.
"After Nick's goal, I was convinced we were going to get another goal. I think the draw was a fair result."
Australian Associated Press
