Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets have played out a 0-0 draw in Monday night’s Hyundai A-League clash at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The chances flowed in the second half in particular, with both sides threatening to break the deadlock on multiple occasions.
But the game ultimately remained scoreless, with Victory held to just its third draw of the season in front of 6233 fans in Newcastle.
Victory made two changes to the starting XI that beat City 2-1 last week, with Mitch Austin and Daniel Georgievski replacing Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Leigh Broxham.
Despite coming off a Derby win, Victory made a sluggish start to the contest, failing to register a shot on target in the first half.
Alan Baro was booked in just the second minute, his challenge stopping Andrew Hoole from making a run down the right wing.
Baro landed awkwardly in an attempt to win the ball soon after – restricting his movement somewhat – while Nick Ansell was cautioned later in the half, leaving both of Victory’s central defenders on yellow cards.
The contest opened up in the second half, with Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas making a number of telling saves to deny the Jets.
At the other end, Austin provided a couple of crosses in quick succession for Rojas to try and guide home, while Troisi had a shot on target blocked by Newcastle goalkeeper Jack Duncan.
Keen to open the scoring, Victory made two substitutions in the space of six minutes, bringing Jai Ingham on for Austin at the hour mark before Broxham replaced Bozanic.
Georgievski went closest for Victory in the 74th minute, beating Duncan with a cracking shot from outside the box that was denied only by the woodwork.
Troisi had another chance in the 81st minute, while a penalty shout was later waved away by referee Stephen Lucas as Victory continued to press but failed to find a winner.
Victory’s next game is against Central Coast Mariners at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday.
Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Round 19
Newcastle Jets 0
Melbourne Victory 0
Newcastle Jets: Duncan (gk), Hoffman, Jackson, Boogaard (c), Mullen, Ugarkovic, Poljak (Koutroumbis 77′), Leilei (Brown 82′), Hoole, Nordstrand (Kokko 77′), Nabbout
Melbourne Victory: Thomas, Georgievski, Baro (Donachie 79′), Ansell, Geria, Bozanic (Broxham 67′), Valeri (c), Troisi, Austin (Ingham 60′), Berisha, Rojas
Yellow cards: Baro 2′, Hoffman 35′, Ansell 38′, Kokko 85′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: 6233
Venue:Â McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
