Scott Neville of the Jets scores a goal against Adelaide United at Hunter Stadium. Source: Getty Images

The Argentine pounced in the 81st minute against his former club, sweeping home from close range after good work from David Carney to set up the chance.

Neumann’s goal eased the pressure on coach Phil Stubbins, who finally has a victory to his name at the 11th time of asking.

Stubbins’ side had looked like giving away points again from a winning position when former Jets winger Craig Goodwin equalled Scott Neville’s 49th-minute opening goal.

The Reds, who became the first FFA Cup winners on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Perth, started slowly as Newcastle made all the early running.

Ecuadorian striker Edson Montano headed a Carney cross over the bar from close range for the hosts, who started with 3-5-2 formation to combat Adelaide’s pace out wide.

It allowed for an open, attacking spectacle with both sides moving the ball well.

The Reds’ Argentine playmaker Marcelo Carrusca put Pablo Sanchez through on goal with a delicious floated pass midway through the first half but the Jets keeper Ben Kennedy reacted well to snuff out the danger.

Cirio also had a good chance to score for the visitors but Adrian Madashchi did well to clear it from the Spaniard as he bore down on goal.

But it was the Jets who had the best chance to open the scoring in the first half when Andrew Hoole missed a glorious chance on the stroke of half-time.

Hoole’s superb cross-field pass found Carney on the right flank and the former Socceroos wideman put a perfect ball across the face of goal only for Hoole to head straight at Eugene Galekovic.

Neville broke the deadlock from close range after Zenon Caravella’s floated free kick was flicked on by Adrian Madaschi and the wing-back prodded the ball under the body of Galekovic.

The 70th-minute Adelaide equaliser was a superb move, finished well by Goodwin, who was released by the Jets at the end of last season.

It was set up by Awer Mabil, who will head to Dutch giants Ajax on trial during the Asian Cup. The Kenyan-born winger slipped a smart pass to James Treggo and his cross was met by Goodwin at the back post.

It was the sixth time the Jets have given away a lead this season and Adelaide looked the more likely side to win. But Jeronimo pounced late to seal the win.

A relieved Stubbins was full of praise for his players and admitted it was a huge relief to finally win.

“We’ve all had wins before, but for me this was a very special one, coming against my old club,” said Stubbins, who was once on the coaching staff at Adelaide under Aurelio Vidmar.

“Josep (Gombau) has done a great job there and they are a very good team. But I am so proud of my team. They were magnificent and everyone involved with the club deserves it and we’ve finally got the monkey off our backs.

“People have doubted us but this is a really nice feeling.” Gombau admitted the toll of Tuesday’s emotional FFA Cup victory affected his players, but had no complaints about the result.

“It was a difficult game for us. We arrived late at every second ball,” Gombau said.

“We didn’t have the speed we normally have. I don’t want to use it as an excuse, but we’ve had three games in seven days.

“But that is football. We’ll move on and prepare for the next game.”

NEWCASTLE JETS 2 (Scott Neville 49m, Jeronimo Neumann 81m) ADELAIDE UNITED 1 (Craig Goodwin 69m) at Hunter Stadium. Crowd: 10,407. Referee: Strebre Delovski

AAP