With the A-League playoffs just 10 days away, Wellington Phoenix had hoped to gain some winning momentum in their push for a first title.
But despite dominating for long periods, they have been hammered 3-0 by Newcastle Knights in at Jubilee Oval in Kogarah.
The Phoenix were made to pay for several missed chances, with David Ball, Cameron McCowatt, Liberato Cacace and Ulises Davilla all guilty of poor finishing.
Newcastle's 44th-minute opener, against the run of play, summed up the night for Ufuk Talay's men, who had two contentious penalty calls denied as well.
Jets midfielder Nicholas Fitzgerald's deflected shot beat a stranded Stefan Marinovic in goal to gift Newcastle an unlikely lead they would never lose.
Substitute Bennie Ibini doubled the score moments after Cacace's shot was superbly saved by teenage goalkeeper Noah James.
Ibini powered a low shot past Marinovic, who had barely been troubled all night between the posts.
Impressive right back Callan Elliot should have earned his side a penalty moments later, when he was taken down inside the box, but the official waved play on and the Jets pounced to seal the three points.
Veteran Jason Hoffman slammed home the Jets' third goal to end the evening's scoring.
Despie the loss, the Phoenix can finish no lower than fourth, but their hopes of a top-two spot are gone.
The club has a 10-day break, before the playoffs begin next weekend.
Join us for live updates of the Wellington Phoenix's A-League playoff campaign
