Newcastle captain Cassidy Davis scored her first ever Liberty A-League goal at the perfect moment to secure a 3-2 home win over Wellington and help her side all-but-avoid the wooden spoon.
Davis unleashed a rocket in the 82nd minute to give the hosts the lead and take the Jets to 14 points – five clear of last-placed Phoenix.
The Jets have one game remaining, away at Sydney FC next Saturday, while Wellington have two.
The New Zealanders travel to Adelaide on Tuesday before hosting Melbourne Victory next Saturday, but the Jets are in prime position to avoid finishing bottom of the pile.
After scores were locked up at 1-1 at the break, Phoenix winger Paige Satchell gave the visitors the lead with a clinical finish in the 53rd minute after forward Betsy Hassett had set her up beautifully.
The setback sparked the Jets back into life and a shot by substitute striker Ashlee Brodigan was deflected in by Wellington defender Kate Taylor to level things up again before Davis sealed it with her late screamer.
The Phoenix, who had beaten heavyweights Sydney FC 1-0 away a fortnight ago, started with a confidence belying their lowly position.
Winger Michaela Robertson was dangerous in the early exchanges as they peppered the Newcastle goal.
Set-piece specialist Michaela Foster stepped up to deliver a pinpoint corner for fellow defender Marisa van der Meer to head home in the 26th minute, and at that point the visitors were right on top.
But Wellington’s goal ignited the Jets into action.
After several efforts on the Phoenix goal, Davis struck a slicing ball into the box.
Jets goal-poacher Lauren Allan slid on her knees to get boot to ball at the far post in a classic forward’s finish to ensure the two sides went to the break level.
The Phoenix were wooden-spooners in their inaugural season in 2021-22. They have shown recent signs of an upwards trajectory but are likely to end up bottom again.
It has been a tough season for the Jets, too, with coach Ash Wilson stepping down mid-season.
The club’s former title-winning men’s boss Gary van Egmond took over on an interim basis and was recently extended as head coach for next season in a bid to add stability to the women’s side.
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