Nick Cowburn's first A-League goal salvages Newcastle Jets point against Sydney FC

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Newcastle substitute Nick Cowburn's first A-League goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for the Jets at home against leaders Sydney FC.

Sydney led for more than an hour on Saturday night at McDonald Jones Stadium after skipper Alex Brosque's 20th-minute header from a Rhyan Grant cross.

Cowburn's 87th-minute equaliser also came from a near-post header via a pinpoint free-kick from Dimi Petratos.

The Jets and Sky Blues both had chances to score a winner in stoppage time. Sydney substitute Charles Lokolingoy broke clear, but Glen Moss was able to push his shot away and Cowburn was off target from 35 yards out with goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne well off his line.

Cowburn's equaliser was just Newcastle's third goal of the season.

Ronald Vargas and Petratos had early sights of goal but couldn't score and Jason Hoffman blasted a shot wide in the 75th minute as Newcastle pushed Sydney back in the latter stages of the game.

Brosque's goal apart, Sydney fashioned the best opportunities and looked in control for most of the match.

Striker Adam Le Fondre, who failed to score for the first time in seven league and FFA Cup appearances, shot wide after being put clear in the eighth minute.

After half time, Moss did well to push away a fierce shot from impressive Sydney playmaker Milos Ninkovic and Brosque headed wide.

The draw puts Sydney a point clear of Perth, who host Adelaide on Sunday.

The point lifts Newcastle off the bottom on goal difference over Central Coast, who play on Sunday away to Melbourne Victory.