A-League wrap: Jets strengthen finals grip

Newcastle Jets took a big step towards securing an A-League finals berth on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.

All the scoring was done by half-time, with teenager Jacob Pepper netting a brace for the Jets and Ryan Griffiths scoring the other, while Harry Kewell scored a penalty for the Victory and missed another.

The Jets then battened down the hatches in the second half to secure their first away win against Victory since 2007. They remain sixth, but have moved level with Melbourne Heart on 34 points.

The Victory’s first loss as the home side in 16 matches sees them drop eight points adrift of the top six with three matches remaining and nothing short of a miracle will see them avoid the indignity of missing their first post-season in four years.

Victory interim coach Jim Magilton has now won one match in nine, hardly a resume for an aspiring full-time appointee.

Elsewhere on Saturday, substitute Troy Hearfield headed home an injury-time equaliser for A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners in their 1-1 draw against Sydney FC at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.

Sydney looked headed for a much-needed victory after Joel Chianese struck home from close range to open the scoring in the 56th minute.

The Mariners wasted several chances in the second half before Hearfield was left unmarked at the back post to score a crucial goal for the home side in the first minute of stoppage time, helping Central Coast extend their lead over Brisbane Roar to three points.