Newcastle Jets' chances of sneaking into the A-League play-offs are all but over following a 1-1 draw with Sydney at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

The Jets had plenty of chances to score in a scrappy first half but could not score, and found themselves trailing to a 76th-minute strike from Brazilian Bruno Cazarine.

Newcastle equalised through veteran striker Sasho Petrovski eight minutes later, but the draw leaves them six points behind sixth-placed Wellington Phoenix with two games to play.

In today's other game, two penalties from Shane Smeltz earned Gold Coast United a 2-1 victory at Perth Glory.

Smeltz scored his first from the spot after 33 minutes, adding another 12 minutes into the second half.

Adam Taggart pulled a goal back for Perth after 75 minutes but they were unable build on that as Gold Coast closed the gap on the top three to a single point.