Newcastle snapped a three-game losing streak and climbed off the bottom of the A-League Men table with a gritty 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Auckland FC in torrential rain at Go Media Stadium.
Teenager Will Dobson played a starring role, scoring the opener and setting up Lachie Rose for the decisive goal after Louis Verstraete had equalised for Auckland.
The waterlogged pitch created chaos throughout the match, but the Jets held firm as goalkeeper James Delianov produced key late saves to deny Jesse Randall and Sam Cosgrove.
The loss leaves third-placed Auckland in a form slump ahead of next week’s derby against Wellington, while Newcastle return home buoyed by a hard-fought victory.
