Melbourne Heart FC has fallen to its first loss of the pre-season as the Newcastle Jets triumphed 1-0 in Morwell on Friday night.
Marko Jesic-s first half effort was enough for the travelling Jets to secure victory as Heart failed to capitalise on its superior territory and possession.
With a solid crowd on display at the Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium, Heart immediately set about producing a strong showing at its home away from home, with Alex Terra forcing a save from Matt Nash inside two minutes.
However, the spritely opening proved to be a false dawn as the Jets grabbed the lead after seven minutes, with Marko Jesic-s floated free-kick deceiving triallist ‘keeper Sebastian Mattei and dipping inside the far right post.
Newcastle would have doubled its advantage on the hour mark but for the intervention of Mattei, who tipped a deflected cross onto the crossbar as the Jets continued to look dangerous from the set piece.
It was Melbourne though who were in control of possession, pressing deep into the Jets half in search of an equaliser, with the attacking quartet of Mate Dugandzic, Jason Hoffman, Alex Terra and David Williams linking well.
The Jets though were once again looking the more likely to add to the scoresheet as Jeremy Brockie was denied by the upright with Mattei beaten minutes into the second half.
Maycon-s introduction midway through the half sparked Heart to life, with his energy and interplay causing havoc in the attacking third of the park, forcing Jets ‘keeper Ben Kennedy into a save with a rasping low drive.
Jason Hoffman and Kliment Taseski both came close late to grabbing an equaliser, but the Jets held on to triumph for the second year in succession at the Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium.
