Jets' Ukraine tribute in ALM Bulls draw

Newcastle's Georgian striker Beka Mikeltadze has unveiled a T-shirt tribute to invasion-hit Ukraine after scoring from the penalty spot in his team's 2-2 A-League Men draw with Macarthur FC.

Mikeltadze's spot kick conversion took his tally to eight goals from 11 games for the Jets this season and cancelled out Tomislav Uskok's 21st-minute opener for Macarthur at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.

A wonder strike from Tommy Oar in the second half looked to have secured the Bulls a win but substitute Eli Babalj popped up with a late header to level for the home side.

Newcastle played expansive, attacking football but defensive lapses cost them dearly as their search for back-to-back wins under Arthur Papas goes on.

"I wasn't aware of it," Papas said of Mikeltadze's celebration.

"He's from a country where right now there's a lot of things happening and I know it means a lot to Beka.

"We had more chances ourselves but we need to be more clinical because the game could have been finished if we take our chances."

The Jets responded to Uskok's goal with intensity and, after surviving an onslaught on goal in the 32nd minute, Macarthur relieved some pressure when they moved the ball up field.

As they did so, referee Adam Kersey was called aside for a VAR review after Lachlan Rose had appeared to handle the ball in the Macarthur box.

Kersey pointed to the spot and Mikeltadze slotted past Filip Kurto before running behind the goal, picking up a bag and unfurling a T-shirt bearing the Ukrainian flag.

Mikeltadze was surrounded by his Newcastle teammates as he lifted the T-shirt to the crowd and then placed it on the advertising hoarding behind the Macarthur goal.

Sam Silvera had the chance to double the Jets' lead but his effort on