Newcastle break down Sydney wall at the death

Newcastle Jets fought back with a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw against Sydney FC at McDonald Jones stadium on Saturday night.

Substitute Nick Cowburn headed his first ever A-League goal at the near post three minutes from time to cancel out Alex Brosque's first-half header.

The result means Newcastle remain bottom of the A-League table with two points from four games, while Sydney FC will relinquish top spot if Perth Glory win against Adelaide United on Sunday.

Sydney started the better team, aiming to capitalise on Newcastle's lack of confidence following their 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory.

It took until 20 minutes for the away side to take the lead, with skipper Brosque's header at the near post squirming under the body of Jets keeper Glen Moss.

The Jets fired up in the second half after a likely serve from coach Ernie Merrick to increase the pressure on the Sky Blues as the game went.

After winning a free kick deep in the right channel on 87 minutes, Dimi Petratos whipped in a cross to the front post which Cowburn met first and headed past Andrew Redmayne.

Substitute Charles Lokoli-Ngoy had a chance to win the game in the stoppage time but failed to lift the ball over Moss.