Reigning A-League champions Melbourne Victory gave up a one goal buffer to register a 1-1 draw against Newcastle Jets. The Jets were coming off a brilliant win over the previously undefeated Gold Coast United last week, but had to settle for an away point at Etihad Stadium.

Melbourne Victory: 1 (Archie Thompson '42) Newcastle Jets: 1 (Labinot Haliti '87)

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Crowd: 15,168

The Victory dominated the first half, with plenty of possession in their section of the pitch despite an early injury to Billy Celeski and the fact striker Danny Allsopp did not start the match.

After plenty of forward forays, the reigning champions finally got the ascendency on the scoreboard when Archie Thompson tucked away a brilliant glancing header from a Leigh Broxham free-kick in the 42nd minute.

The Jets were very lacklustre and did not really fire a shot in the first term, needing some inspiration from coach Branko Culina.

A more controlled Newcastle side came out in the second half but were struggling to pierce the Victory defence as Ernie Merrick's held sway.

Neither team had any clear cut chances late in the second half until the 87th minute when substitute Labinot Haliti, who returned to the Jets last week, nodded in from close range following a Tarek Elrich cross to level the score.

It was a reasonable result for Culina's Jets but Merrick would be shattered after his side were easily the better team on the park.