Newcastle Jets close in on top six after Ugarkovic earns win at Mariners

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Steven Ugarkovic earned Newcastle Jets a 1-0 win over Central Coast to keep them in A-League finals contention.

Ugarkovic, 21, scored his first goal for the Jets in an open game at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday -- and it was enough for their first win at this venue in more than eight years.

The victory lifts Scott Miller's eighth-placed side to within four points of the top six, but the Mariners have now gone 23 games without a clean sheet in a new, unenviable A-League record.

The home side were spirited, exposed the Jets' defence and made them work to hold their lead, but it was the visitors enjoyed the better chances.

Mateo Poljak was denied while Morten Nordstrand took time to find the touch that yielded a brace last week against Wellington.

The former Denmark international was off-target twice before firing in a swerving strike that brought a fine save from goalkeeper Paul Izzo.

Luis Garcia arguably should have scored when he failed to get enough on a goalmouth header from a Mitch Austin corner.

But coach Tony Walmsley will have been relieved that his marquee man was still playing after an early injury scare when Garcia appeared to tweak his hamstring.