A-League soccer: Maclaren strikes again as Jets surrender to clinical Melbourne City

Mikeltadze had scored in five straight games to equal the run of club legend Joel Griffiths.

But it proved a frustrating night for the Georgian international and the Jets, who played the final 35 minutes with 10 men after Taylor Regan was sent off for a second yellow card.

It was a different story for Maclaren, who struck just before half-time to turn the contest

Second half strikes to Matt Leckie (52^nd minute) and Carl Jenkinson (63rd) sealed the deal.

It was the first time this season that the Jets have been held to nil.

The win moved Melbourne City two points clear at the top of the table on 22 points. The Jets remain in ninth on 11 points but have played three fewer games than the leaders.

Jets stand-in captain Jordan Elsey was a frustrated figure at full-time.

"We were the better side in the first half. We played well and created a lot of things," the central defender said. "We were obviously disappointed to concede so late in the first half. The the red card came and it's hard to play with 10 men."

Buoyed by a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory and having benefitted from a six-day freshen up, the Jets travelled south full of promise.

But after an encouraging opening 40 minutes the situation soured.

Maclaren scored against the run of play in first-half stoppage time. From there the Jets lost control.

As well as lose Regan, Angus Thurgate (leg) and Jordan O'Doherty (ankle) suffered injuries and are in doubt for the visit by Western Sydney on Wednesday night.

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It was a goal-fest between these two teams 10 days ago, with City the victor 4-2.

This time it was a case of two halves. The Jets had the better of the opening 45 minutes.

They pushed and probed and stretched City to the limit.

The ball movement was slick. If anything, they were guilty of trying to dribble the ball into the back of the net.

Daniel Penha had the visitor's best chance on the half hour.

After brilliant build-up play in the penalty box, the Brazilian just need to stop the ball dead and slot home from six yards but his touch was heavy.

Newcastle continued to play most of the football. They had 57 per cent of possession and opened up City with slick ball movement.

But all Jamie Maclaren needs is half a sniff, and he struck in injury time.

Florin Berenguer, who had been a peripheral figure, found space on the left and arrowed a cross for the striker, who got between Elsey and Regan and volleyed home.

A half of positive work for the visitors was undone in one moment.

It was Maclaren's third goal against the Jets in two games and his ninth for the campaign.

After taking the lead before half-time, City took the ascendancy early in the second half.

Marco Tilio sucked in three defenders and laid off to Matt Leckie to double the advantage in the 54^th minute.

A minute later, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Regan picked up his second yellow for a late boot on Tilio. His first caution was a for a rugged tackle on a runaway Tilio three minutes before half-time.

Tilio was everywhere in the second half and helped seal the deal with an assist for Carl Jenkinson, who produced a neat finish.

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