Gold Coast United kept themselves in the frame for a top-two finish in the A-League with a 5-1 rout of Newcastle Jets at Skilled Park today.

The in-form Bruce Djite was the Jets' chief tormenter as the striker helped himself to a hat-trick, while Adama Traore and Shane Smeltz were also on the scoresheet. Traore opened the scoring after nine minutes when he volleyed home from Bas van den Brink's clever lobbed pass.

Djite stabbed home from close range to make it 2-0 in the 36th minute before Smeltz ensured there was no way back for the Jets just after the hour, with the New Zealand international sidefooting the ball into the back of the net from van den Brink's cutback.

Zhang Shuo pulled one back in the 75th minute but Djite wrapped up the scoring with two goals in seven minutes just before the end. Gold Coast are fourth with 42 points, four behind second-placed Adelaide United but with a game in hand.

Elsewhere, John Aloisi scored twice as Melbourne Heart fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with city rivals Victory at Etihad Stadium.

Danny Allsopp put the hosts ahead after 11 minutes when he headed home Matthew Kemp's cross before Carlos Hernandez put them in command with a second for his side just after the half hour, firing a superb 25-yard free-kick into the back of the net.

Heart halved the deficit in the second minute of first-half stoppage time when Aloisi struck from close range before the former Australia international equalised six minutes into the second half.

The visitors then pressed for a winner and had their cause aided when Kevin Muscat was sent off for Victory with 12 minutes remaining. However, Victory defended well to ensure they escaped with a point.