Meeting in an A-League Men grand final rematch at Industree Group Stadium, neither team could find a way through on Friday night in wet conditions despite a total of 24 shots.
Victory proved the more threatening side against the reigning premiers and champions, but their attack fizzled out when captain Roderick Miranda was sent off.
With 30 minutes on the clock in the season opener, Miranda kicked Doka in the head while attempting to clear an airborne ball.
The hosts rallied to make 11 shots with the numerical advantage but fell short.
Victory's Bruno Fornaroli reacts after missing his potentially match-winning penalty. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
Jackson admits he was expecting a tough outing after stars Josh Nisbet, Max Balard, Jacob Farrell and the retired goalkeeper Danny Vukovic left the club.
"When a team goes down to 10 men, there's an expectation for the team with 11 on the pitch to win. It's not always the case. It's difficult," Jackson said.
"I was expecting a tough performance and that's what it was for us.
"We're not quite there yet but we've got to be positive, and we've got to take a lot from that performance. We've got a point on the board."
New Victory coach Patrick Kisnorbo also chose to look at the positives.
"We showed resilience. We were very hard to break down," Kisnorbo said.
"Before the send-off, we dominated the game. We had some great chances. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't.
"I know the ref probably has to send (Miranda) off. I look at it as a coach and the intent wasn't there to actually kick Doka in the head.
"I know there was no intent or no malice."
Jason Geria was lucky to escape a red card in the 29th minute for a sliding tackle that downed Central Coast's Alou Kuol, with his punishment downgraded to a yellow after an on-field review.
"It's not getting away with it if it's not a red card," Kisnorbo said.
"It was actually a perfect sort of challenge."
A player slide tackling the opposition coach 🫣🤣 Season 2024/25 has already delivered some comedy gold!— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) No one is safe in the pouring Gosford rain, not even Patrick Kisnorbo 😅pic.twitter.com/gVXB53CqzjOctober 18, 2024
The visitors should have taken the lead after the first half when Bruno Fornaroli earned a penalty kick in extra time, but the star striker bungled the chance.
Caught in the shin by defensive midfielder Bradley Tapp, Socceroo forward Fornaroli sent his free shot at goal rocketing into the far post before falling to his knees in disappointment.
Kisnorbo momentarily stole the show, going to ground when Mariners left-back Lucas Mauragis, fending off Zinedine Machach, skated off the slippery field and straight under the opposition coach.
Central Coast's grand final hero Edmonson, who scored two goals to be named man of the match in the decider, dared to find the back of the net in the opening 30 seconds but his header went high.
The Mariners' goalscoring woes continued well into the second half when a Bailey Brandtman cross from close range went unchallenged, rolling across the face of goal as Kuol watched on.
In the end, both sides only had one shot on target.
The Mariners were also without newly minted captain Trent Sainsbury after he tore his pectoral muscle in their AFC Champions League Elite campaign.
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