Hoffman endured a bittersweet afternoon. He had replaced Super Mario Jardel just before the hour and within a minute or so had stroked a shot against the left post. Having suffered that frustration he later found himself substituted having picked up an ankle injury.

Sasho Petrovski was guilty of missing the visitors’ best chance just before the interval, the former Sydney man denied by Ante Covic.

A point was enough to keep the Mariners clear at the top while the Jets remain in contention for a finals slot.

Mario Jardel was handed only his second start for the Jets as question marks continue to loom large over his Newcastle future. Stuart Musialik returned to the home side’s line up after his appendix problems to take part in the 10th F3 derby.

Danny Vukovic and Nigel Boogaard returned to the Mariners starting XI after their Olyroos exploits but Mile Jedinak missed out through suspension. Boogaard was handed the right-back slot with Andrew Clark asked to perform in a holding midfield role. Last week’s match-winner Greg Owens began the game on the left side of the engine room.

Jardel’s first few touches earned an encouraging cry from the home fans with the Brazilian seemingly playing for his Hyundai A-League future in the Hunter sunshine.

The Jets were almost caught out in the first seven minutes as Laybutt’s hesitation opened the door for the Mariners but they were unable to capitalise. Further sloppiness then allowed John Hutchinson to push forward and thump a shot wide of the left target, albeit under pressure from Adam Griffiths.

The Mariners surged forward again to take advantage of the ponderous Jets and when Owens picked Tarek Elrich’s pocket in the 10th minute his low shot whistled just wide of Ante Covic’s right post. Sasho Petrovski then turned sharply on 14 to force Covic to a low stop to his right but the better option would have been to lay the ball back to the unmarked Brad Porter. Petrovski’s next contribution was to earn a yellow card moments later for a needless lunge on Elrich.

The Jets finally mustered a shot on goal as a wonderful flick from Denni teed up Joel Griffiths only for a fine stop from Vukovic to deny the club’s leading scorer.

Dean Heffernan then clattered into Elrich on the edge of the area but from the resulting free-kick Laybutt was half asleep, failed to meet the ball played into his path and was promptly booked for a late challenge borne of frustration.

Joel Griffiths raced on to a wonderful through ball from Jardel but Tony Vidmar did enough to prevent a real effort on goal with the resulting corner from Musialik hacked clear. A big crowd was certainly being entertained as play swung from end to end with players across the park guilty of individual errors.

Hutchinson then entered the book for a grapple tackle on Denni more akin to a rugby league grand final than a football contest.

Aloisi couldn’t control Owens’ raking cross from the left but from the resulting corner Boogaard threw himself at the ball and powered a diving header over the crossbar as the half hour mark approached. Joel Griffiths then flashed a low cross-shot across the face of the goal with the Mariners striker showing his frustration that Jardel was not at the near post to convert.

Jobe Wheelhouse scuffed a shot goalwards on 34 after Matt Thompson’s cross from the left as both sides searched for the breakthrough. Alex Wilkinson stuck out a leg to prevent Jardel connecting with Joel Griffiths’ low cross from the right on 37 while Aloisi was getting little change out of Laybutt at the other end.

The visitors should have taken the lead on 39 as Petrovski burst through the home defence only for Covic to stand tall and push the shot away to his left for a corner. At the other end some good close control from Joel Griffiths teed up Wheelhouse but the Jets midfielder couldn’t hit the target from close range. So despite an open first 45 minutes at EnergyAustralia Stadium the scoresheet remained blank as the players trooped off for a breather.

Wheelhouse crashed a shot goalward on 47 after a clever flick from Jardel but Vukovic got down smartly to his left to gather.

Lawrie McKinna made a tactical switch with Clark and Boogaard swapping roles in the early stages of the second period. Aloisi rose to meet Porter’s cross from the right on 51 but could get neither power or accuracy on his header and the ball drifted wide.

Jardel’s afternoon came to an end on 58 minutes as he made way for youngster Jason Hoffman. Enough to secure an extended stay at EnergyAustralia Stadium? Time will tell.

Boogaard slashed high and wide before McKinna made his first change on 59 minutes, Adam Kwasnik entering the fray at Porter’s expense.

Hoffman went desperately close to a memorable goal just a minute or so after coming on as he beat Vukovic but not the left post with Denni blazing the rebound horribly off target. The Young Socceroo striker was left clutching his head in his hands – a case of so near and yet so far.

Petrovski made way for Matty Simon on 68 as McKinna looked to shake up his attack for the final quarter of the encounter.

As the clocked ticked on neither side could lay claim to control of proceedings with little consistent threat. Covic gathered Heffernan’s left wing cross at the near post while Elrich saw Vukovic off his line but lofted his shot too high.

The Jets made their final change as former Mariners favourite Noel Spencer replaced substitute Hoffman with 11 minutes to go – his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance.

Simon and Hutchinson fired straight at Covic while Vukovic blocked with his feet from Joel Griffiths as play switched to the other end. Boogaard kept pace to prevent Griffiths testing Vukovic while Aloisi was guilty of preventing substitute Damien Brown a meaningful strike at goal at the other end. The Socceroo striker should have let the ball run and the chance was lost.

Simon did well to tee up Heffernan in stoppage time but he couldn’t hit the target with his weaker right foot. The Mariners then forced a corner in the dying stages of added time but Spencer headed clear and the 10th F3 derby ended with honours even.

FourFourTwo says... Jason Hoffman was agonisingly close to becoming the derby day hero in a match that neither side really took control of. The big talking point was Mario Jardel's inclusion from the start. Whether he has done enough to ensure more than a single year's stay, the jury still seems to be out. A point keeps the Mariners in pole position to finish top of the pile but neither do they look invincible with a third of the campaign remaining.