At a hot and bothered Hunter Stadium, Newcastle put in a determined shift to leave 2-0 winners against Brisbane Roar.

It was two duck breakers who made the difference, former Heidelberg United striker Kaine Sheppard and Brazillian import Jair opening their A-League accounts either side of halftime. 

"I've worked hard everywhere I've been," Sheppard said.

"It feels amazing to get my first start and my first goal, but there's still a lot of work to do. I just want to get the ball in the box and do whatever I can to help the team win."

Brisbane showed moments of quality in the first half with Eric Bautheac pressing inside, but were repetitive and predictable with or without Adam Taggart. Newcastle conversely are slowly returning to form and could have had three or four, with Dimitri Petratos playing a key role.

The Jets now overtake Western Sydney into the top six, while Brisbane - who are beginning to show unsustainable defensive frailties - sit ninth.

"Newcatsle are very good in transition and the goal before halftime was an absolute blow," a slightly despondent Roar keeper, Jamie Young added.

"It comes down to moments, we're not getting pulled apart but when the game gets stretched, like today, we lose control."