The Wellington Phoenix have been beaten 2-nil at Sydney, but remain well placed to make the A-League football play-offs.
An injury-ravaged Phoenix looked anything but finals contenders at the Sydney Football Stadium, with only a brilliant performance from goalkeeper Danny Vukovic preventing a bigger losing margin.
Sydeny took their unbeaten run to 7 matches although they are out of play-off contention.
With the Phoenix needing only a point to secure sixth spot and finalise the make-up of the top six, the result ensured Newcastle still remain a slim chance of knocking them out.
The Jets will need to win their remaining matches against Perth tonight and Central Coast on Sunday and hope North Queensland upset the Phoenix in their final match in Wellington on Sunday.
The Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert says Vukovic was outstanding and kept them in the game because Sydney were by far the better side.
Meanwhile Central Coast secured second spot in the play-offs with a 3-1 win over Gold Coast.
