Just when it appeared the sides would have to settle for a scoreless draw in sodden conditions at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday, an attempted headed clearance of a Francis De Vries cross by the Jets looped out to substitute Neyder Moreno, who fired home on the volley.
Minutes later, after Justin Vidic had an equaliser ruled out for offside, De Vries sealed the result when he bounced an effort off a defender and into the net after the visitors failed to clear a free kick.
The win means Steve Corica's side has triumphed in all five of their games in their debut season.
And in keeping a fifth consecutive clean sheet, they have also set an Australian league record for the longest time before conceding their first ever goal - breaking a 47-year-old mark held by Western Suburbs.
Missing skipper and starting right back Hiroki Sakai, this defensive resoluteness was tested after just three minutes by the Jets when Eli Adams sprung Ben Gibson through on goal, only for keeper Alex Paulsen to rapidly charge down his shot.
The hosts grew into the game and were in firm control for much of it, but beyond a Dan Hall volley that produced a superb save did little to test Ryan Scott in the first half.
Scott again produced a remarkable stop to deny Guillermo May the go-ahead goal in the 62nd minute, and the Jets showed signs of resistance up the other end in the 73rd when Clayton Taylor forced Paulsen into a save.
But then the hosts found their breakthrough to secure the win and set up a huge all-New Zealand clash with third-placed Wellington next week.
