Wasteful Jets level with Victory

Newcastle spurned a penalty kick and a host of chances inside the box to go into the sheds level 0-0 with Melbourne despite dominating the opening stanza of tonight's round eight A-League clash.

Playing in front of their home crowd at EnergyAustralia Stadium, the Jets had six shots on target to the Victory's one but could not find the back of the net as Melbourne's defence held on gamely.

The most criminal miss from Newcastle came when Ecuadorian Edmundo Zura missed his spot kick late in the half, hitting the left post as he tried to get the ball past Victory 'keeper Michael Theoklitos.

The Melbourne shot-stopper was called on to make a host of key saves in an entertaining first half, including two crucial stops off the boot of Marko Jesic.

The Victory, who are currently sitting atop the competition ladder, have a poor track record in Newcastle with just one win there in the club's history.