Brisbane Roar's Jade North scored a goal against Newcastle Jets which was ... - Herald Sun

Brisbane Roar's Jade North scored a goal against Newcastle Jets which was disallowed. Picture: Steve Pohlner. Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE Roar was left to rue a controversial offside decision in its 0-0 draw with Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium.

Needing a win to move into the top six at the expense of the Jets, the Roar seemed to have scored via Socceroos defender and former Newcastle defender Jade North two minutes before half-time.

But the goal was disallowed, with North being ruled offside despite television replays suggesting he had run from an onside position to get on the end of a Luke Brattan cross.

The decision was part of a frustrating night for the Roar, who despite dominating for large periods of the game, could not convert their chances in windy and wet conditions.

"We've got five games to go, we still believe we're a chance (to make the finals)," Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theo told Fox Sports.

"We've just got to keep believing, keep producing good performances and hopefully results will follow."

The Roar were saved by the woodwork in the sixth minute when a shot from Newcastle's former England international strike Emile Heskey struck the post.

Less than 10 minutes later the post came to the Jets' rescue after a free-kick from Luke Brattan took a wicked deflected off Newcastle midfielder Zenon Caravella.

Brisbane had the better off the first half and seemed certain to take the lead in the 29th minute when star striker Besart Berisha only had Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti to beat.

But Birighitti spread himself to deny Berisha scoring for a 13th time this season.

Birighitti again spared the Jets' blushes minutes later when he kept out a fierce Ivan Franjic strike.

Brisbane suffered a blow in the 53rd minute when in-form midfielder Luke Brattan, who this week signed a new-two year Roar deal, was forced off with what seemed to be a groin or hip problem.

Brattan was replaced by the fit-again Mitch Nichols, who missed the previous week's 2-0 win over Wellington Phoenix with a hamstring injury.

Roar keeper Michael Theo was called into action in the 72nd minute, parrying away an Adam Taggart shot that he seemed to see late.