Can the Newcastle Jets hang onto top spot in the A-League Men’s (ALM) competition?

That’s the question being asked after the ladder leaders suffered their second loss in three matches, the latest being a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Macarthur Bulls at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Thursday 2 April.

Depending on other weekend results, Mark Milligan’s team might only hold a slender one-point margin over its rivals by Sunday night.

Socceroos veteran Mitch Duke proved a thorn in Newcastle’s side by scoring a double in the entertaining fixture.

He shrugged off concerns over a hamstring strain and flaunted his dangerous best, notching an assist to go with his goals in the 10th and 68th minutes.

The 35-year-old helped sixth-placed Macarthur keep its finals hopes alive, securing back-to-back wins after going winless in their previous six encounters.

But, there were some positives for the Jets.

Rising youngster Xavier Berntoncello grabbed a first half brace.

Then Eli Adams, who came off the bench, scored in the 55th minute but was found offside.

Newcastle was also denied a penalty in the 86th, with Bulls young gun Luke Vickery found to have fouled left-back Dan Wilmering outside the box.

Another hamstring injury to luckless Thomas Aquilina added to the Jets’ woes, with the defender forced off in the 79th minute.

Macarthur started the better outfit and should’ve drawn first blood early if Chris Ikonomidis hadn’t wasted a quality opportunity.

However, Duke was able to nail the perfect start for the hosts less than five minutes later after a lapse in Newcastle’s defence left him alone in the box.

Set up by a brilliant header from Rafa Duran, Duke pivoted and hammered the ball past Jets’ goalkeeper James Delianov.

Bertoncello replied for Newcastle with a dashing run down the corridor just three minutes later, but Duke returned the favour for Duran in the 24th to restore their lead.

Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski cut a frustrated figure on the touchline after Bertoncello’s goal stood after a VAR review for a handball.

Footage showed the ball made contact with Jets’ Ben Gibson’s right arm before Kosta Grozos collected to pull off a through ball for Bertoncello.

But, Gibson wasn’t penalised, having been held in a tussle with Macarthur’s Tomi Uskok.

After Berntoncello levelled the scores 2-all deep into added time, Duke again showed his quality after the break by superbly deflecting a cross from Callum Talbot for the match-winner.

With three rounds remaining, Newcastle tackles Adelaide United (11 April – McDonald Jones Stadium), Melbourne Victory (17 April – AAMI Park) and the Central Coast Mariners (25 April – McDonald Jones Stadium).

• With AAP

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