A fairly timid first half was brought to life late on when Craig Goodwin's dipping freekick clipped Glen Moss's crossbar, before Moss was called upon to deny Goodwin from a tight angle on the stroke of halftime.

The Jets opened the scoring seven minutes into the second period when Jason Hoffman pounced on a Michael Jakobsen mistake to provide Ronald Vargas the opportunity to open his A-League account from close range.

Adelaide soon hit back when Michael Marrone produced a tantilising cross which Craig Goodwin headed home in the 63rd minute to level the scores.

Jason Hoffman should have put the Jets back in front shortly after but his point blank header was brilliantly saved by Paul Izzo to keep the scores level.

The game looked set to fizzle out as it entered the 90th minute before all hell threatened to break loose after Jets goalkeeper Glen Moss collided with Adelaide striker George Blackwood in the area.

Adelaide players demanded a penalty but their protests were waved away, with the Jets ultimately awarded the freekick. Tempers flared as players from both sides clashed, with Daniel Georgievski and Michael Jakobsen picking up bookings as they exchanged differing views on the incident. Reds goalkeeper Paul Izzo also went into the book for his protests.

A furious Marco Kurz let his feelings be known after the full time whistle as the Jets picked up their first point of the campaign, while Adelaide now turn their attentions to Tuesday's FFA Cup Final against Sydney FC.

ADELAIDE UNITED

Paul Izzo – 7

Didn't have a great deal to do, but made one key reflex save off Jason Hoffman to keep scores level. His distribution was poor at times as the Jets were effective in stopping the Reds from playing out.

Michael Marrone – 7

Worked tirelessly down the right flank and provided an excellent cross for Adelaide's equaliser. His slip almost allowed the Jets to retake the lead, but did well to keep Jair, and then Austin, quiet.

Jordan Elsey – 8

Defended well and made some crucial tackles to keep out Newcastle's attacks. Was unlucky to be caught out of position for the opening goal after winning a tackle on the halfway line. 

Michael Jakobsen – 6

Was bailed out by Elsey in the first half after making a horrible mistake, but noone could save his blushes as his mistake led to Newcastle's opener. Also got needlessly involved in the fracas in the dying moments to pick up an unnecessary yellow card.

Scott Gallaway – 6.5

Relatively untested defensively but failed to make an impact going forward. Played his part in keeping Dimi Petratos uncharacteristically quiet.

Isaias – 7

Dropped back to a deeper role to accommodate Ilso's inclusion. His delivery from the dead ball was poor by his standards, but did an excellent job breaking down Newcastle's attacks time after time.

Ken Ilso – 6.5

Tasked with providing the spark in Adelaide's midfield, he looked to play forward and made intelligent runs but didn't have a large impact on proceedings before being withdrawn.

Vince Lia – 7.5

The unsung hero in Adelaide's engine room, the veteran midfielder constantly broke up Newcastle's play and did an excellent job keeping Petratos and Vargas quiet.

Ryan Strain  – 6

Worked hard down the right flank and got into decent positions but his failed to provide any telling crosses. Subbed off before the hour mark for Blackwood.

Craig Goodwin – 8

Had a quiet start to the game before going close twice just before halftime, hitting the crossbar and testing Moss from a tight angle. Always carried Adelaide's main threat and expertly headed home the equaliser from Marrone's exquisite cross before being substituted late on.

Ben Halloran – 6

Looked out of position once again in an unfavoured central role and failed to use his pace to exploit Newcastle's backline before being moved out to accommodate the arrival of Blackwood. Blazed his best opportunity high and wide.

SUBS

George Blackwood – 6.5

Injured George Blackwood receives medical attention

Became the focal point of the attack after coming on, but failed to make a significant contribution. Went off with a nasty shoulder injury and looks set to miss Tuesday's FFA Cup Final. 

   Goodwin: The keeper's killed Georgie   

Papa Baba Diawara – N/A

Came on to join Blackwood up front but couldn't influence the game as Adelaide failed to provide the service required.

Nathan Konstandopoulos – N/A

Didn't have enough time to make an impact.

NEWCASTLE JETS 

Glenn Moss - 6.5

Did his work well without being heavily tested. Was strong in the air all evening, but provided the main talking point of the match after his collision with George Blackwood sparked heated protests from both sides.

Daniel Georgievski - 6.5

Kept Goodwin quiet for large periods of the game, but didn't offer his usual attacking threat going forward. Failed to track Goodwin's run for Adelaide's equaliser.

Nigel Boogaard - 6

The skipper led by example from the back but picked up an early yellow card. May feel he could done better for the goal as he got caught under the ball as Goodwin ghosted in behind him.

Nikolai Topor-Stanley - 7

Another workmanlike display at the heart of Newcastle's defence and kept on top of Halloran, Blackwood and Diawara.

Lachlan Jackson - 6

Did his defensive duties well but failed to offer anything going forward and was sloppy in possession.

Matthew Ridenton - 6

Shielded the backline and helped stop Adelaide from playing, but gave away the ball frequently and picked up a yellow card as a direct result of his own error.

Steven Ugarkovic - 6.5

Industrious in the midfield engine room alongside Ridenton. Failed to provide any meaningful threat in the final third.

Ronny Vargas - 7.5

Vargas has shown glimpses of his class in the opening two rounds and made a great run to open his Jets account from close range. Another encouraging display from the Jets number 10 who will be looking to make up for lost time after last season's horror ankle injury.

Dimi Petratos - 6

His set piece deliver was poor by his own high standards and he found it difficult to really influence the game as Lia and Isaias limited his time on the ball. 

Jair - 6

Fairly anonymous as he continues to adapt to life in the A-League, but showed his class with a pinpoint delivery that should have helped the Jets retake the lead.

Jason Hoffman - 7

His hard work helped create the opening goal for Vargas but he should have given the Jets the lead again with his header off Jair's cross. He really should have given Izzo no chance.

SUBS

Ben Kantarovski - 6

Returning from injury, he provided some additional steel in the middle of the park as Adelaide threatened to take control of the match.

Mitch Austin - N/A

Came on for Jair but failed to get too many noticeable touches or opportunities to use his pace.

Nick Cowburn - N/A

Came on to shore up the midfield late on.