Newcastle Jets threw away a two-goal lead against Melbourne Victory today as the league leaders came back to rescue a point.

Kew Jaliens opened the scoring for the Jets just after the half-hour mark, with Joel Grifiths doubling the hosts' lead from the penalty spot just a few minutes later.

Melbourne, who would have surrendered top spot in the A League to Sydney FC had they failed to take anything from the game, managed to pull one back before the break, Fahid Ben Khalfallah giving the visitors a lifeline with a timely finish.

The fightback continued after the restart, with Besart Berisha breaking through a determined Jets defence with an hour played, though their attempts to press for a winner proved fruitless and Newcastle managed to hold on for a point.