Melbourne Victory 0 Newcastle Jets 2: Top-six chase alive after Petratos stunner

Newcastle Jets gave their hopes of a top-six finish in the A-League a boost on Saturday with a 2-0 defeat of Melbourne Victory at GMHBA Stadium.

Goals in each half from Johnny Koutroumbis and Dimitri Petratos secured three valuable points against the side who beat the Jets in last year’s Grand Final.

The result moves the Jets to within two points of sixth-placed Wellington Phoenix, while Victory stay nine points behind leaders Perth Glory.

The visitors took the lead 34 minutes in, Koutroumbis converting from close range after Steven Ugarkovic twice failed to turn in Daniel Georgievski’s cross.

Victory controlled 69 per cent of the possession but could not convert it into meaningful chances, with Ernie Merrick’s side looking the more likely to score a second on the break.

James Donachie was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 92nd minute, and Petratos made the win secure with practically the last kick of the match, blasting in a stunning strike from 25 yards out after Joseph Champness had seen a shot bobble against the post.

Dimi’s SCREAMER at the death puts the cherry on top of a massive win in Melbourne!  #MVCvNEW #MadeOfNewcastle pic.twitter.com/9dbj7SHZ7R

— NEWCASTLE JETS FC  (@NewcastleJetsFC) March 2, 2019