Canberra United improved to third and left Newcastle second-last with a 1-0 win in the penultimate round of W-League at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday night.
The match was Newcastle's final at home this campaign and they trailed 1-0 at the break after Michelle Heyman took her league tally to 73 with a goal in the 22nd minute.
Grace Maher played the ball in behind the Jets defence for Heyman to slot into the goal with her first touch.
While Newcastle's chances were limited, the visitors had plenty but Jets goalkeeper Claire Coelho produced a stand-out performance to make several crucial saves, denying United's lethal front three of Heyman, Nicki Flannery and Paige Satchell on numerous occasions.
The hosts' only clear-cut chance came in the 53rd when midfielder Rhianna Pollicina received the ball with her back to goal, turned and launched a long-range effort which hit the crossbar.
The win elevated Canberra to 21 points, one clear of Melbourne Victory in fourth and two ahead of Adelaide in fifth with 19.
Newcastle close their 2020-21 campaign against second-placed Brisbane (22) in Brisbane on March 28. The Jets have taken just seven points from their 11 outings and at best can finish with 10.
Melbourne City moved to 10 points and ahead of the Jets with a 1-0 win over Perth on Friday night.
Striker Sophie Harding was promoted to the starting line-up in place of Jets leading scorer Tara Andrews, who was sidelined with an ankle complaint, in the only change to the Newcastle side on Saturday night.
