NEWCASTLE Jets' FFA Cup dream is over after a 1-0 loss to Adelaide at Coopers Stadium on Tuesday night in which they played 80 minutes with 10 men.
Keeper Lewis Italiano was given a straight red card in the 10th minute of the quarter-final after he raced out of the penalty area and clipped the legs of a runaway Nicola Mileusnic, who crashed to the ground.
Referee Daniel Elder correctly ruled that the contact occurred outside the box but the result was a red card.
Italiano's replacement Glen Moss, who was returning after six weeks out with a foot injury, made a series of spectacular saves.
But it was mistake by the experienced keeper which gifted Adelaide rookie Al Hassan Toure the decisive goal in the 42nd minute.
Early drama in Adelaide, with @NewcastleJetsFC goalkeeper Lewis Italiano shown a red card 🔴 after 10 minutes!
— FFA Cup (@FFACup) September 17, 2019
🎥: @FOXFOOTBALL#ADLvNEW#FFACuppic.twitter.com/9z0NNsE37H
The Jets should have been awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time after a shot by Abdiel Arroyo struck the raised arm of Adelaide captain Michael Jakobsen but Elder waved play on.
In a horror night, the Jets lost star Wes Hoolahan to injury four minutes into the second half after a tangle with Ryan Kitto.
Despite playing a man down and having used all their subs by the 50th minute, the Jets pushed hard until the very end.
Panamania striker Arroyo recovered from an ankle injury to lead the attack as Ernie Merrick went with the same XI that thumped Edgeworth 5-1.
After a cagey opening 10 minutes, the match was turned on its head when Italiano was caught short trying to intercept a through ball.
Left winger Nick Fitzgerald was sacrificed for Moss to come on in goals.
The veteran was straight into action, diving full length to his left to tip Nathan Konstandopoulos' curling freekick around the left post.
READ MORE: ARROYO FLIES OUT WITH JETS BUT MAY NOT PLAY
After an adjustment, the Jets settled into rhythm. They stayed compact and Hoolahan was able to get on the ball and build pressure.
They had a half chance in the 25th minute when Dimi Petratos played a square ball for Matt Millar. His first shot was headed towards goal but Michael Jakobsen made a desperate block.
A Glen Moss error leads to @AdelaideUnited's opening goal!
— FFA Cup (@FFACup) September 17, 2019
🎥: @FOXFOOTBALL#ADLvNEW#FFACuppic.twitter.com/M6M8GvNKaE
The further the half progressed the more the home side threatened.
Mileusnic hit the left post with a thunderbolt and Riley McGree pushed a free header wide.
Moss produced more sharp work in the 35th minute, dropping low and getting a strong left arm out to deny Konstandopoulos.
Eventually the pressure took its toll but it was from a mistake rather than good play.
Ryan Kitto hit a low drive from 25 metres which Moss appeared to have covered but the ball squirmed through his legs and Al Hassan Toure swooped.
After the Jets were denied the penalty claim, Moss made amends in part for his error with a fingertip save to thwart Mileusnic in stoppage time.
At the other end chances were hard to come by.
Petratos stung the gloves of Paul Izzo with 10 minutes remaining and the tireless Arroyo blazed wide a minute later as the visitors pushed and probed by couldn't find an equaliser.
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