Phoenix and Jets fight out draw in Napier Adam Taggart of the Newcastle Jets is tackled by Andrew Durante and Paul Ifill of Wellington Phoenix during their round three A-League nil-all draw in Napier, New Zealand, this afternoon. THE Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets remain winless in the A-League this season after fighting out a willing but scoreless draw in Napier, New Zealand. Both teams will continue to occupy positions near the foot of the table, on two points after three rounds, following the deadlock in the league's first game at McLean Park this afternoon. It fizzled out as a spectacle following a lively first half in front of a crowd of 9020, who watched Newcastle dominate much of the opening 45 minutes but fail to capitalise. The hosts enjoyed their best period either side of halftime, with playmaker Carlos Hernandez creating a handful of chances through testing crosses, only to be denied by goalkeeper Mark Birighitti. It was just the third draw in 20 meetings between the teams, with the Phoenix having won 12 of their meetings and the Jets five. Local supporters hoped the Phoenix could lodge their first win under coach Ernie Merrick but they fell short of the quality shown in last weekend's 1-1 draw away to Western Sydney Wanderers. The Jets - like the Phoenix coming in with a first-round loss and second-round draw to their name - are still to score a goal this season. It wasn't for lack of trying. They produced 30 crosses to the home side's 15 and continually stretched the Phoenix in the first half courtesy of midfield dominance. The best of several chances came in the 19th minute when a free kick from captain Ruben Zadkovich struck the crossbar. Defender Scott Neville followed up with two shots on goal from close range but was denied, firstly by goalkeeper Glen Moss and then by outstretched defender Leo Bertos. Hernandez picked out Stein Huysegems with a perfect far-post cross minutes before the break but Birighitti produced a reaction save on the goal line. The visiting keeper was at it again soon after halftime, keeping out a close-range stab from Phoenix captain Andrew Durante off another Hernandez curler. Veteran forward Paul Ifill was the only Phoenix change, making his first start of the season ahead of Kenny Cunningham. Ifill had minimal impact as his team were starved of possession and he was replaced at halftime by impressive Spanish midfielder Albert Riera. The Jets made three starting changes from the side who drew 0-0 with Perth, introducing forward Andrew Hoole and midfielders Joshua Brillante and Ben Kantarovski for Michael Bridges, Zenon Caravella and Craig Goodwin. Their young side - seven starting players were aged 22 or under - had too much enthusiasm for the hosts early on but they lost direction 25 minutes from the end when Zadkovich was replaced.