"If we play like we did in the second half today, it's better that we play away, because we won't disappoint so many supporters that way.

"But we won't do that. We'll get it right.

"By the time the semi-finals come around, we'll get it right."

The Jets arrived at Gosford last night with plenty to play for, but by full-time it was hard to tell which team were also-rans and who had already qualified for the post-season.

Newcastle started strongly and had some early opportunities, but the home side drew first blood in the 17th minute when former Novocastrian Nigel Boogaard scored from a header.

Brad Porter produced a looping corner and Boogaard was on hand to direct it past the despairing dive of Newcastle keeper Ben Kennedy.

Newcastle held on grimly until half-time and emerged after the break minus Thompson, who had handed the captain's armband to Ljubo Milicevic.

Within five minutes of the resumption, Newcastle's fate was sealed.

In the 48th minute, Haliti was bearing down on goal when he tangled with defender Shane Huke and was booked by referee Ben Williams for diving.

Two minutes later, Huke set up Adam Kwasnik, who chipped Kennedy to make it 2-0.

Chasing the game, desperation got the better of Haliti in the 56th minute when he was ruled to have deliberately hand-balled before putting it in the net.

Williams immediately produced a second yellow card, then a red.

"I don't have to say anything to him," Culina said.

"He knows he made the mistake . . . he's a smart enough and experienced enough player to know he did the wrong thing by himself and by the team.

"But that happens.

"That's football. Sometimes you do lose your head."

The scoreline became even more embarrassing for Newcastle in the 72nd minute when Porter finished a goal created by Brady Smith.

Mariners midfielder Pedj Bojic was sent off in the 89th minute for a second foul.

Culina said Thompson was rested at half-time as a precaution and admitted "in an ideal situation, he probably shouldn't have played."

Thompson said he "didn't want to push it with the semi-finals coming up" and could miss Friday night's game.

Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna said the win was a reward for perseverance.

"The first 15 minutes, Vukovic must have had four or five good saves . . . Danny kept us in the game," McKinna said.

"But by half-time we were quite comfortable and thought we could go on with it."