Roy O'Donovan scored his first goal as an Australian citizen to earn Newcastle Jets a 1-1 draw against Western Sydney Wanderers.

The former Republic of Ireland B striker fired in an 81st-minute penalty to give the lowly Jets the reward their second-half endeavour deserved.

Former Newcastle frontman Bernie Ibini, who left the Jets in December, had pounced in the 36th minute at Bankwest Stadium to give Wanderers the lead in the A-League clash.

Ibini drove home after Simon Cox went on a weaving run that ended with a 20-yard low shot against the left post, the ball bouncing out kindly for the experienced striker to convert.

Wanderers would have gone top of the table had they held on for three points, but after having much the better of the opening 45 minutes their level dipped in the second half.

Jets substitute Luka Prso was clipped in the penalty area by Patrick Ziegler, who was also freshly off the bench, and O'Donovan snatched the chance to secure a point, firing high into the left corner.

O'Donovan, 35, announced this week that his citizenship had come through, having spent the last five and a half years playing in Australia.

The point nudges Wanderers up to second place after five games, albeit having played one more match than the teams around them.

For the Jets it was a first draw of the campaign after one previous win and four defeats.