Soccer: Cruel twist shunts Knights from playoffs

The two goals the Newcastle Jets scored in going down 3-2 to Melbourne Victory in the last round of the A-League Pre-Season Cup have cost the New Zealand Knights a place in this weekend's semifinals.

By the time the calculators had stopped whirring last night, the Jets had got up to snatch second in group B behind Sydney FC thus relegating the Knights to third.

The Knights will now play Perth Glory at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night with the winner going on to play off for fifth place.

In their fourth [bonus round] clash at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night, the Knights went down 1-0 to Adelaide United in front of 12,006 spectators with a debatable 19th minute Carl Veart penalty sealing it.

"We dominated the first half but they scored against the run of play," said Knights coach Paul Nevin.

"We did well and could have got a draw.

"Sean Devine headed wide and also missed another half chance."

Devine came in for Malik Buari in a late change after Buari suffered a slight groin strain while warming up. He later played the last 15 minutes of the game.

That change prompted Nevin to switch to a 4-4-2 formation with Devine joining Dani Rodrigues up front.

But the win was not enough to allow Adelaide to claim top spot in group A.

With their 0-0 draw with Queensland Roar yesterday, Central Coast Mariners got up to take the group on goal difference to set up a home semifinal with Newcastle on Saturday. Sydney FC will be at home to Adelaide in the first semifinal on Friday night.

Melbourne, after a draw and two losses in their opening games, found some form to edge visiting Newcastle. Jade North gave the Jets the 17th minute lead until Archie Thompson equalised a minute before halftime.

Kevin Muscat hit home a 62nd-minute penalty for Melbourne but Nick Carle responded in a like manner for the visitors eight minutes later.

Danny Allsopp sealed it for Melbourne with his 84th minute goal.

Under the countback used for the Cup, bonus points - for goals scored in the weekend round - counted ahead of the normal goal difference which cost the Knights their chance.