The result left Jets coach Gary van Egmond to lament his side's poor form at home once more.

"It's frustrating, especially when you're at home. You want to get maximum points," he said after the match. "We've played here at home three times now and drawn all three times.

"If you want to be a serious challenger in this league, you need to win your games at home. We copped a goal against the run of play with the [first] penalty. The players showed some good conviction to come back and score, and then another, but unfortunately we conceded that one late."

Van Egmond said he would refocus his players mentally and physically over the next fortnight.

"Today it was difficult - we've got so many key players out, which obviously makes it more difficult when you look at the starting 11 and see the likes of Joel Griffiths, Adam Griffiths, James Holland and even Jason Hoffman [missing]," he said.

"We need to regroup and reassess. It's good we've got this little mini-break, A, to get over some injuries and B, to look at recruitment in regards to getting a replacement player for Jason - and we'll go from there."

While the day ended with patrons sprinting for the cover of the grandstand as a heavy thunderstorm rolled in out of the blue, the match begun in bright sunshine and unseasonable 25 degree heat.

It took Newcastle just 60 seconds to register their first shot on goal, with Adam D'Apuzzo's angled shot well blocked by Mark Paston. But that impressive start didn't last as Wellington gradually overcame their early sloppiness.

Tim Brown's strong blast from range nearly troubled Ante Covic, while the ever-alert Smeltz crashed his right-footed shot into the post after dispossessing Jobe Wheelhouse.

The Jets responded with a few half-chances before half-time, the best of which saw Edmundo Zura and Thompson combine to set up Jesper Hakansson, who volleyed over the bar.

Clouds replaced the sun after half-time and things looked gloomy for the hosts when Piorkowski was dubiously adjudged to have brought down Coveny, leaving Smeltz to open the scoring.

Thankfully for van Egmond, his team answered in perfect fashion just before the hour mark when the unmarked Elrich had time to steady himself before thumping a deflected drive past Paston.

Newcastle took the lead when Zura reacted first to Thompson's seemingly harmless long ball, and with the defenders and Paston caught napping, the Ecuadorian nudged the ball to substitute Patafta for his first club goal.

The Phoenix were seemingly destined to head home empty handed, but for the second time in as many weeks luck fell their way at the right time and their season remains alive.