Roar lets a golden chance slide Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar miss a huge opportunity to buy some breathing space ahead of the A-League finals, playing out a scoreless draw. Brisbane's Besart Berisha has his shot on goal stopped by Newcastle goalkeeper Mark Birighitti during their round 22 A-League clash at Hunter Stadium. IS time running out for defending champion Brisbane Roar? Coach Mike Mulvey and his players refuse to entertain the notion but the evidence is mounting that the Queenslanders may not be around come playoffs time in April after missing a golden chance to break into the top six following a 0-0 draw with Newcastle Jets in atrocious conditions at Hunter Stadium last night. While the draw wasn't a good result for either side, there is a strong argument that it hurt Brisbane far more than the Jets. The point leaves the team that has won the past two A-League titles still struggling outside a finals spot with just five rounds left in the preliminary season. Brisbane has 25 points to still be in seventh spot, but could slip as low as ninth if Perth Glory beats Western Sydney tonight and Melbourne Heart does likewise to Sydney FC tomorrow. Newcastle, which went into the match in sixth place, won't be happy either that it didn't come away with something more substantial. Mulvey put on a brave face after a game his side probably should have won on the balance of football played and chances created. Was it a point gained or two lost? I'd rather look at it as a point away from home," he said. Newcastle was at home and we were the team playing our fourth game in 12 days and I don't think you could tell the difference. As well, it keeps us within striking distance of Newcastle. Brisbane could have finished with all three points but for a contentious decision to disallow a Jade North goal in the first half because of an offside. Replays showed the goal should have stood, but Mulvey wasn't about to cry foul. "Look, I didn't see it but people who saw the replay said it was a fair goal," he said. But, that's football. We are not going to dwell on it and there's no use crying about it now. I'd rather look at the positives and they are that we were very cohesive tonight, played some good football and created chances. But it just wasn't our night in front of goals. Certainly, the Jets had goalkeeper Mark Birighitti to thank for keeping them in the game after he pulled off a string of saves in the first half to deny Besart Berisha twice and Luke Brattan. Newcastle started the game promisingly enough, creating the first two chances after great work from right-back Josh Briliante. But it was mostly downhill from there as the visitors took control of the midfield and started to dominate and pressure the Jets. The Roar looked the part, its defence putting pressure on the Jets' attack, winning the ball and quickly releasing its midfield. As a result, the Queenslanders were creating a lot of chances, especially through the good work down both flanks. The second half followed the same pattern with Newcastle starting strongly but then fading and allowing Brisbane to dictate. Jets coach Gary van Egmond was not too displeased with the result. He admitted his side had started strongly but had fallen away. He believes the next three games could be pivotal in deciding his team's playoff hopes. "We have a heavy schedule where we play Melbourne Victory, Perth Glory and Adelaide United in a quick turnaround," he said. It will be tough and I'll have to use a few different bodies to help us cope.