O'Donovan and Hoolahan star as Newcastle Jets return to winning ways at home to Melbourne City

Roy O'Donovan and Wes Hoolahan featured as Newcastle Jets responded to defeat to Brisbane Roar with a 2-1 victory over second placed Melbourne City in the A League on Monday.

Goals from Nick Fitzgerald and Steven Ugarkovic gave Carl Robinson's side all three points as they remain ninth in the table.

It took until the 23rd minute for Jets to create the first chance when Connor O'Toole played in Ugarkovic but be blazed his effort over the crossbar.

Robinson's side were dominating the first half and Dimitri Petratos was creating problems. It was he who had the next effort as his low effort was well dealt with by Thomas Glover in the City goal.

On 38 minutes it was the turn of Cork man O'Donovan to try his luck when he sent a spectacular bicycle kick over the crossbar following a cross from O'Toole.

Melbourne City carved out their first real opening on 42 minutes as Lachlan Wales was played in on goal but he fired his effort wide of the target.

However, Jets took the lead in first half added time when Fitzgerald was played in by the star man Petratos before he took a touch beating two defenders and curling his effort beyond Glover.

Erick Mombaert’s side started the second half on the front foot when Nathaniel Atkinson advanced into the box but he fired his effort wide of the target.

On 64 minutes Robinson felt a change was needed and he brought on Hoolahan to replace former Wales international Joe Ledley.

Jamie Maclaren then thought he had equalised for City as he got into the box before firing an effort just wide of the post when it looked as if it would trickle into the net.

City did find their leveller on 70 minutes when Craig Noone whipped a ball in for Florin Berenguer and the Frenchman thumped a header into the net for his third goal in seven games.

Jets responded well and could have immediately retaken the lead when Petratos got himself into a promising position but his effort was well held by Glover.

Minutes later, however, Glover couldn't keep out a strike from Ugarkovic from range and the ball sailed into the net despite the former Tottenham Hotspur stopper getting a hand to the ball.

It was the Jets who finished the stronger of the sides and they should have wrapped up the victory when Glover made another fine save from Petratos.

The game ended with a rather significant substitution as Glen Moss came on in goal for his 250th A League appearance in place of Lewis Italiano.