Mariners, Jets share spoils

Newcastle had the better of a first half that was devoid of genuine goal-scoring opportunities with Emile Heskey, in particular, looking dangerous.

The Mariners, however, did have one promising chance when Michael McGlinchey made a piercing run into the box late in the half.

The midfielder showed brilliant skill as he beat three Jets defenders, only for his lob to be palmed over the bar by goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.

The players were greeted with more rain on the resumption and it was the Mariners who settled into the greasy conditions the better.

The host team, however, was let down by its play inside the final third and again looked to be lacking the creativity of Celtic acquisition Tom Rogic.

Newcastle began to wrestle back the ascendancy as the game entered the final quarter and the usual F3 derby-drama returned.

But it too lacked the killer blow up front as the Mariners, buoyed by their home fans, rallied to find a match-winner.

There would be no late heroics however as the Jets spurned a late free kick opportunity – the two sides finishing locked at 0-0.