Rockdale City may have blown their chance of playing finals football after suffering an upset 1-0 loss to Hakoah Sydney City East on Sunday.
The Suns, who were in fifth place on the NPL 1 table heading into the penultimate round, only needed a point against Hakoah to remain inside the top five.
But the defeat at Hensley Athletic Field, thanks to a deflected Oliver Green effort, and Marconi’s crucial 3-2 win over Sutherland saw the Stallions climb above Rockdale on goal difference.
It was a deflating result for the Suns who had impressed in their 4-2 loss to Sydney FC in the FFA Cup on Wednesday night.
Rockdale now need to beat last-placed Sydney FC Youth at the Ilinden Sports Centre in the final round of the season on Sunday and hope Marconi slip up at home to Wollongong.
The Wolves though have little to play for.
Rockdale could also climb above Marconi if they better their result by four goals to overturn their goal difference deficit.
At Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday night, Nic Olsen and Hristijan Tanoski scored for Sutherland. But goals to Michael Beauchamp, Sean Rooney and Marko Jesic secured a vital three points for Marconi.
Sutherland remain in 11th place. The Sharks face Blacktown City at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday.