NEWCASTLE Jets are set to firm as A-League wooden spoon favourites after a 2-0 loss to Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
The Jets entered round 15 last on the ladder by four points, but they could fall even further off the pace if the results of Sunday's games between Western United and Central Coast and Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth fall against them.
In the worst-case scenario, the Jets could finish this weekend six points behind their nearest rivals.
It was Newcastle's second successive loss under interim coach Craig Deans, and their sixth defeat in the space of seven games.
The man widely tipped to replace sacked head coach Ernie Merrick at the helm, Welshman Carl Robinson, watched the game from the stands alongside Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna.
City's opening goal was scored by Craig Noone in the eighth minute.
Newcastle thought they had equalised in the 58th minute through Abddiel Arroyo, only to be denied for an offside ruling.
A penalty goal by Jamie Mclaren in the 58th minute left the Jets facing a 2-0 deficit.
