ADELAIDE United’s frustrating start to the A-League season has continued after it dropped points at home for the second straight match.

The Reds came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night in a scrappy contest marred by late controversy.

Ronald Vargas handed the visitors the lead in the 52nd minute with a close range finish from Jason Hoffman’s low cross after ghosting into space in the United penalty area.

The excellent Craig Goodwin hit back 11 minutes later with a powerful header from a superb Michael Marrone delivery to spark the 7906 home crowd to life.

Drama ensued in the final minute of the game when Newcastle goalkeeper Glen Moss clattered into Reds striker George Blackwood as he came to collect a high cross.

Referee Shaun Evans awarded a free kick for the visitors despite Moss failing to make contact with the ball and knocking Blackwood to the turf inside the penalty area.

The official stuck with his original decision after appearing to consult VAR via his earpiece, but not reviewing the incident on the sideline replay screen.

A melee followed in the Newcastle box involving most of the players on the pitch as tensions boiled over at the death.

Reds keeper Paul Izzo and defender Michael Jakobsen were booked, along with the Jets’ Daniel Georgievski.

Adelaide coach Marco Kurz was also cautioned for his heated response to the referee’s decision.

The result left the Reds searching for their first victory of the new campaign after being held to the same scoreline by Sydney FC a week earlier.

Again it was a display which impressed in patches, but failed to produce the cohesion and finishing touch in the front third to turn periods of dominance into three points.

Adelaide brought in Dane Ken Ilso for his league debut in place of the injured Mirko Boland.

Strikers Baba Diawara (knee) and Blackwood (calf) returned to the bench after missing last week due to knocks, meaning winger Ben Halloran again led the line in attack.

United overcame a sluggish start to flourish late in the first half.

It almost took the lead five minutes before the break when Goodwin fired an unstoppable 25m free kick against the bar from wide on the right.

Moss also did well to deny Ilso in a one-on-one and block a powerful Goodwin drive from a tight angle with his legs.

Earlier it was Paul Izzo who was worked twice, as the visitors grew into the game midway through the opening period.

First the United keeper tipped away an inswinging Vargas free kick as it threatened to curl back over his head.

Then he reacted smartly to parry a Hoffman header wide from the resulting corner.

Adelaide at times lacked fluency going forward as the unfamiliarity of its attacking quartet, which again featured full back Ryan Strain on the right wing, became evident.

But Ilso’s first sight of goal after 20 minutes raised hopes, as he was allowed to run from deep and fire in a low drive which was tipped around the post by Moss.

Centre back Jordan Elsey, who marshalled the Reds’ back four expertly throughout, had to be at his best to twice deny the Jets with perfectly timed last ditch challenges.

But the visitors broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half.

Adelaide skipper Isaias uncharacteristically turned the ball over in midfield, before Jakobsen miscontrolled after being dragged out of central defence to clear the danger.

The loose ball was pounced on by Hoffman, who made a break down the left channel and played a pinpoint low ball into the area for Vargas to tap home.

United responded immediately by introducing Blackwood in place of Strain.

It paid dividends nine minutes later.

The industrious Vince Lia fed the ball wide for Marrone who capitalised on a slip by Jair to launch a brilliant 40m cross deep into the area.

Goodwin met the delivery at full flight on the run, as he outsmarted ex-Reds defender Nigel Boogaard to head home his first league goal since returning to the club.

Hoffman should have regained the Jets’ advantage with a free header soon after, but he directed his effort at Izzo who produced a fine reflex block.

Halloran then blazed a chance over the bar when well placed and Blackwood fired a long range effort just wide of the post late on.

But the Reds will see the match as another opportunity for maximum points lost ahead of Tuesday night’s FFA Cup final against Sydney FC.