The Newcastle Jets have kept their slim finals hopes alive with a resounding 4-0 win at home over Perth Glory on Thursday.
Goals to Labinot Haliti and Jeremy Brockie were capped off by a superb second-half brace from substitute Sasho Petrovski to give the Jets a crucial win and keep them in the hunt for a finals berth.
The win moves Newcastle to 35 points, just three behind Wellington Phoenix with one round remaining before the top six are decided, while it was the 14th away loss for the Glory whose disappointing season cannot end soon enough.
After a lively opening the Jets grabbed the opening goal in the 13th minute of the match when Tarek Elrich floated a cross into the top of the box.
Haliti brought down the ball before and took into the area before unleashing a right-foot drive that cannoned off the far post and back into the net for a 1-0 lead.
The Glory worked their way back into the game and enjoyed a good spell of possession and territory that culminated in a blistering long-range effort from Howard Fondyke that forced Newcastle custodian Ben Kennedy into a fine diving save on the half hour mark.
The Jets came with strong intent in the second half attacking confidently, with Haliti and Ryan Griffiths blazing wide of the target before they grabbed their second goal in the 55th minute.
Jesic slide a lovely through ball for Brockie, who stepped around defender Scott Neville before sending a low shot just inside the far post for a 2-0 lead.
Jets coach introduced veteran striker Sasho Petrovski for Haliti on the hour mark and the crowd favourite made an immediate impact with two goals in as many minutes.
The 35-year-old made the most of his last home match for the Jets when he calmly converted from the penalty spot in the 68th minute after defender Brent Griffiths handballed in his own penalty area.
Petrovski then scored from the kick-off when he pounced on an error from Griffiths to take the ball into the penalty area and threaded a trademark low shot inside the far post to cap off a remarkable two minutes.
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