The Central Pulse have narrowly missed posting their first win of the trans-Tasman netball season, losing 58-56 to the Queensland Firebirds in Wellington on Monday night.
The result mirrored the Pulse's effort in last week's seven-goal loss to Adelaide Thunderbirds, as they frittered away a 29-25 half-time lead.
The defending champions the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic are at the top of the competition after their 61-35 rout of the New South Wales Swifts.