The victory was a much-deserved reward for the Jets, who opened their campaign with two defeats and two draws and were without three key players because of international commitments.

Newcastle's goal came from 19-year-old Thurgate after a clever exchange of passes with Dimi Petratos in the 36^th minute.

Coach Ernie Merrick put the teenager in a more unfamiliar role up front in the absence of regular striker Abdiel Arroyo who was away on international duty.

He repaid Merrick's faith with what turned out to be the matchwinner.

"It's not his ideal position, but he always seems to get in goalscoring positions and he's a very hard working player," Merrick said.

"He's one of those players you can always throw on at the start or off the bench and he'll do a job for you.

"An amazing number of times he gets into goalscoring positions and he probably could have got a couple in that first half, but he scored and that's the difference."

It was only Thurgate's second A-League goal in 21 appearances, the vast majority of which have been as substitute.

His previous A-League goal, against Western Sydney last season, was also a match-winner, breaking a 2-all deadlock.

United appeared to have equalised in the 70^th minute through a Josh Risdon header, only for the VAR to disallow the "goal" because of offside play in the lead-up.

Petratos had a chance to seal the result in the 87^th minute, only to hit the side netting with a powerful strike.

Jets keeper Glen Moss saved an on-target Besart Berisha shot a minute into injury time.

Along with Arroyo, the Jets were also without Bobby Burns and Matthew Ridenton, who were all on international duty for their respective countries.

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