BILLED AS… Phoenix's chance to put the New Zealand Knights' ghost to rest and win their first game at home.

IN REALITY… Phoenix did everything but score. They played some great football but again just lacked that killer instinct in front of goal.

THE GOOD… Ante Covic was Newcastle's saviour on a day when in fairness they didn't deserve a win, and it was mainly down to Covic that they did. He might not have scored but he made damn sure Phoenix wouldn't either allowing the Jets to take their infrequent chances upfront.

THE BAD… Felipe and Daniel showed great potential as playmakers for the Kiwis but their future as goal heroes still needs a lot of work. Daniel blew too many chances and Felipe created some great opportunities but either couldn't finish them himself or lacked the quality support to do the job for him.

THE UGLY… Daniel was a picture of pain after he injured himself falling on an ad hoarding and had to be helped from the field.

THEY SAID WHAT… "The boys defended very resolutely on the edge of the box – very desperately at times – and we took our chance.” Jets coach Gary Van Egmond doesn't even try to put a gloss on his team's performance. “That’s one that really got away. We probably should have won it three or four times over." Neither does his Phoenix opposite number Ricki Herbert.

THE FALLOUT… Phoenix pulled in another great crowd by Kiwi standards but unless they start taking their chances and winning matches, now that they're rooted to the lowest rung of the ladder, they could see those crowds falling away quickly.

PHOENIX: Glen Moss (gk), Jeremy Christie, Tony Lochhead, Karl Dodd, Ross Aloisi (cptn), Shane Smeltz, Michael Ferrante, Daniel (Vaughan Coveny 48’), Richard Johnson, Steven O’dor, Felipe (Royce Brownlie 82’).

BOOKINGS Felipe 54’, Karl Dodd 86’

JETS: Ante Covic (gk), Adam Griffiths, Jade North, Steve Eagleton, Matt Thompson, Joel Griffiths, Denni (Adam D’Apuzzo 70’), Tarek Elrich (Noel Spencer 81’), Paul Kohler, Jobe Wheelhouse, Jason Hoffman.

BOOKINGS Adam Griffiths 6’, Adam D’Apuzzo 87’.

GOALSCORERS Matt Thompson 75'


MATCHRATING: 3/5