Western United have gone down 3-1 to Melbourne City in their final home-and-away match of the season.
City took an early lead at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium after pouncing on a United defensive error. Connor Metcalfe played in Moudi Najjar who finished past Filip Kurto to score his first A-League goal.
Jamie Maclaren doubled City’s lead from the spot early in the second half, after Tomi Uskok was penalised for a handball.
Moments after both players were subbed on, United captain Alessandro Diamanti played in Besart Berisha who was fouled inside the area, winning the Green and Black a penalty and a chance to pull a goal back.
Berisha converted the spot kick to take his tally to 19 for the season and halve the deficit.
City reclaimed their two goal lead five minutes from normal time, as Lachy Wales squared the ball to the back post before Maclaren tapped in his second of the match.
The loss confirms fifth place for Western United, who will take on Brisbane Roar in Sunday’s elimination final.
FULL-TIME
Western United 1 (Berisha 70′)
Melbourne City 3 (Najjar 12′, Maclaren 57′, 86′)
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