The Wellington Phoenix's chances of reaching the A-League football play-off have taken another hit after they were thrashed 5-0 by the Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium.
Adam Taggart scored twice while Emile Heskey, Joel Griffiths and Michael Bridges all got on the scoresheet as Newcastle took advantage of an understrength Phoenix side.
Wellington had eight senior players missing though injury or suspension and remain four points off the top six on 28.
The coach Ernie Merrick says his makeshift back-line was very poor and believes his side's chance of making the top six was now gone.
He says they would need to win all three of their remaining games to have any chance at making the post-season.
