Both sides each had solid periods of the match where they were on top and plenty of shots at goal but neither was able to find the back of the net.

Mariners coach Phil Moss said he was pleased with how his side played and that a good physical contest is what they need as the season approaches.

“I was extremely happy with the performance, I thought we dominated the entire first half and created some really good opportunities to score,” he said.

“We need these tough games and this was a tough hit-out physically for us and I thought we ran the game out very well.”

Jets coach Phil Stubbins said that he thought it was fitting that the two teams couldn’t be split as each seemed to have a half each in which they had the upper hand.

“They shaded us in the first half but when it came to the second half I think that we shaded them,” he said.

“So taking all that into account I think that nil-all or a draw is probably a fair result.”

The Mariners got themselves on top early in the contest and into the Jets’ end of the field and starving them of time in possession.

Mariners’ trialist Travis Major was working hard to impress in the opening stages, latching on to through balls and creating opportunities in the Jets box and taking the first shot on goal of the match.

Tom Slater made Jets’ goal keeper Mark Birighitti work to deflect his shot over the cross bar.

Jeronimo Neumann led the way for the Jets and had their first real shot on goal and David Carney sent a free kick over the Mariners’ goal from outside the box before the first half was over.

But the first half belonged to the Mariners and former English Premier League player Nick Montgomery was starting to warm to the task and had taken a shot of his own shortly before the break.

The Mariners put the Jets on the back-foot early in the second half when Montgomery put Richard Vernes through and only a brilliant save from the keeper Birighitti stopping the stalemate breaker.

This began a Jets revival as they began to get the upper hand.

Scott Neville and Carney combined to get them to the Mariners’ end of the park.

The Jets found themselves in an ideal attacking position numerous times and came close to scoring when Carney put a good ball onto the head of Neumann.

The Newcastle side were playing with more aggression and had seemed to set up shop in the Mariners’ box but their defence weathered the storm.

With the wind taken out of the Jets’ sails the Mariners went back on the attack late and Montgomery had a couple more shots on goal but by the full time siren neither team broke the deadlock.