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Jets hit new low with 2-1 loss to Roar

6th February, 2015
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The crisis-stricken Newcastle Jets have slumped to new depths after an injury-time own-goal relegated them to a 2-1 A-League loss to the Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium.

Just when it looked like the Jets would give their fans a glimmer of hope, the Roar hit the front on Friday night in the 93rd minute.

A Thomas Broich corner deflected into the back of the net off Allan Welsh, who had come onto the ground just seconds earlier.

For the Roar, it was their second win in a row in stoppage time, while for the Jets, it capped a week from hell and they remain second last with just a one win from this campaign.

The Jets had the better of the early going and should have gone up in the second minute when Edson Montano found himself alone in the box but his header bounced off the crossbar.

But after enduring a week of internal turmoil, the Jets went into the break down 1-0.

Newcastle had the better of the chances, however it was Brisbane who seized their opportunities with Jean Carlos Solorzano heading home a simple opportunity from a Broich corner for the first goal in the 36th minute.

Mitch Cooper had a pair of chances either side of halftime but was denied by some brilliant work from Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo on both occasions.

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A minute after Cooper’s 54th-minute header was desperately punched away by Theo, Jets coach Phil Stubbins pulled him from the field.

But what looked to be a massive blunder turned out to be a masterstroke as Radovan Pavicevic – who came on for Cooper – evened up the ledger in the 71st when he took advantage of a Corey Brown defensive blunder.

However just when it looked as if the Jets would take something from the contest, the Roar pulled it out of the bag.

Stubbins was booed as he walked from the pitch but he described the result as a step in the right direction following their 7-0 loss to Adelaide the previous round.

“From last weeks’s performance to this one, it was a massive improvement,” Stubbins said.

“It seems to be the story of our campaign to date – the boys, to a man, put in a solid shift.

“We got some pride back, a bit of redemption.

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“We were very, very unfortunate to lose it in the way we did.”

Roar coach Frans Thijssen said despite taking the three points, he was disappointed with his troops compared to the performance they put on in their win over Wellington the previous week.

“We know (the Jets) have some problems but we told them it could be an advantage because they have new players and they want to fight for the coach,” he said.

“It looked like it because they were fighting all over the place in the first half and they couldn’t get through.

“And when they go one behind, you hope their heads go down and it will be easier for us in the second half.

“But, in the end, we didn’t create a lot in the second half and we were very lucky with that last-minute goal.”

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