Newcastle scored three goals in eight minutes to claim a 3-1 win over Wellington and leap from last to eighth on the A-League Men’s (ALM) table.

Eli Adams and Lachie Rose scored in the 50th and 54th minutes, then Clayton Taylor added a third in the 57th at Sky Stadium on Sunday 14 December.

Ifeanyi Eze got one back in the 76th for the hosts.

But, it proved too little too late in an action-packed clash where Jets goalkeeper James Delianov (seven saves) also starred.

In a desperately close table, Mark Milligan’s Newcastle (nine points) is now only outside the top six on goal difference, while Giancarlo Italiano’s Wellington (eight points) sits 11th, only ahead of Melbourne Victory.

There was carnage in the second minute on Sunday when Max Burgess hit the deck, grabbing at his right groin. 

The Jets playmaker attempted to continue but had to be substituted for Adams in the fifth.

Newcastle’s Alex Badolato dragged a shot wide soon after.

And, a minute later Wellington’s Corban Piper forced Delianov into a save at the other end and the parry just squeaked away from a sliding Eze.

Adams blazed off-target in the 17th minute and was brilliantly denied by Phoenix youngster Jayden Smith with a desperate block in the 22^nd.

Delianov pulled off a wonderful left-handed diving save to bat away Carlo Armiento’s fierce strike, too.

Piper dragged another effort wide in the 42nd minute.

However, the combatants went to the break locked at 0-all.

The second half picked up where the first left off, with Delianov denying Xuan Loke from point-blank range, before Adams hit the side netting at the other end.

The Jets finally broke through when Will Dobson released Taylor.

The attacker stood up Matthew Sheridan and cut the ball back to Badolato, who found Adams, with the winger’s deflected shot beating Oluwayemi.

Eze had a golden opportunity to equalise blocked and Newcastle pounced again.

The Jets caught Joshua Oluwayemi off his line with a Kosta Grozos long ball.

The goalkeeper attempted to intervene and Rose pounced, nipping in front of the Phoenix goalkeeper before shooting into an empty net.

Newcastle effectively sealed all three points when Taylor played the ball out wide to Daniel Wilmering, then burst forward to receive it back and score.

Jets youngster Max Cooper denied Kazuki Nagasawa with a goal-line clearance in the 64th but five minutes later Eze gave Wellington a lifeline.

Substitute Fin Roa Conchie lifted a lovely ball towards the striker, who scored with a terrific looping header.

However, that’s as close as the team got.

Newcastle returns home to host Sydney FC on Saturday 20 December and Wellington meets Central Coast, seeking to avoid a third straight defeat.

For more sports stories:

• Jets ‘roar’ in impressive return to ALW winner’s circle
• Newcastle-based Hull eyes off world cross country titles
• WSL Challenger Series charging on in Newcastle

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.