Newcastle Jets remain without a win after seven rounds of the A-League but at least they showed a fighting spirit in a 1-all stalemate with Asian champions Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday.
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With the lacklustre 4-0 surrender to Brisbane Roar still fresh, the Jets looked headed for another defeat when Tomi Juric opened the home side's account in the 12th minute.
But rather than submit, the Jets dug deep to find a way out.
Marcos Flores provided a piece of magic to equalise in the 28th minute - his first goal for the club.
From there it became a battle of attrition.
With the Wanderers also down on confidence, neither side could get into rhythm.
Adrian Madaschi was strong at the back for the Jets, David Carney had his most influential game and Ben Kennedy was solid in his return in goals.
Stubbins made six changes to the side humbled by the league champions.
Youth team defender Nick Cowburn was a late inclusion for his debut at right back after Scott Neville pulled up with a tight groin.
Cowburn's first touch was a confident header as he quickly adapted to the speed of the A-League.
Another of the changes, Ben Kennedy had to use every bit of his 193cm frame to tap a bouncing effort from Vitor Saba over the bar.
From the ensuing corner Sam Gallaway headed an attempted clearance into his own crossbar.
But it was the visitors who could, and probably should, have opened the scoring in the ninth minute.
A sloppy first touch from Wanderers left back Shannon Cole, presented Edson Montano with a golden opportunity.
With keeper Ante Covic having slipped and scrambling to get back in position, Montano lifted his shot over the woodwork.
As has been the norm in their horror start to the season, the Jets paid the price for the miss.
Three minutes later Vitor Saba delivered a cross to an unmarked Tomi Juric at the back post. The wonder boy did the rest smashing a volley into the far corner.
Marcos Flores, starting for the first time in four games, had a chance strike back almost immediately but his volley from clearing a Cole header slammed into the bar.
It was shaping as one of those nights for the Jets.
They were second best for the opening fifteen minutes but got a foothold as the half progressed.
Kennedy produced a reflex effort to deny Nikita Rukavytsya after a mazy run into the box by Romeo Castelen.
The Jets were in need of inspiration and it came in the form of a beautiful interchange between David Carney and Marcos Flores.
The winger cut inside and dinked a pass over the top for Flores on the edge of the six yard box. With Covic looming large, the Argentinian produced quick feet to slide the ball into the left corner.
The goal was the tonic the visitors needed.
They started to grow in confidence but had Kennedy to thank for staying on level terms when he denied Rukavytsya a second time, parrying a stinging effort in the 34th minute.
After a cagey opening 15 minutes of the second half, Juric thought he had regained the lead for the home side when he curled a shot from edge of the penalty box. But it didn't quite have the bend required and rebounded off the post and away to safety.
Looking for a spark, Stubbins injected Andrew Hoole (63rd), Joel Griffiths (68th) and Jacob Pepper (75th).
After absorbing enormous pressure in the final ten minutes, Griffiths had a chance to snatch three points at the death.
From a corner the striker muscled his way past Mathew Spiranovic, but couldn't get over the top of his header, which ballooned over the bar.