The Perth Scorchers' WBBL finals hopes are on the rocks after a six-run loss to the Melbourne Stars.
The Stars made 8-179 after being sent in by Scorchers skipper Sophie Devine at Moe in regional Victoria on Saturday.
In reply the Scorchers fell short at 7-173 to remain in fifth position on 13 competition points, two points outside the top four.
Perth's loss guarantees second-placed Brisbane Heat of a finals berth.
Sydney Sixers are on top of the ladder with 21 points and will host the WBBL decider on November 26.
The Heat are second on 16, followed by the Hurricanes and Strikers on 15. The Hurricanes have a net run rate of 0.54 while the Strikers are just behind on 0.31.
The result does not end the Scorchers' chances of playing finals but they must now beat the Melbourne Renegades in Moe on Sunday and hope either the Hobart Hurricanes lose to the Sydney Sixers or the Adelaide Strikers get beaten by Sydney Thunder. The Scorchers have a net run rate of 0.41.
The Heat will secure second position if they beat the Stars in Moe.
The Stars were 0-44 after four overs against the Scorchers, the most runs scored in the power play this WBBL season.
Stars openers Lauren Winfield-Hill (36 off 25 balls) and Sophie Reid (24 off 13) ignited the start of the innings before a cameo at the end by Sasha Moloney (28no off 16).
The Scorchers took 3-14 in the power surge, the best in the WBBL this season, to limit the damage to some extent with Amy Edgar (3-27) in form.
In reply the Scorchers lost the competition's leading run-scorer Beth Mooney (3) early. Rain started falling in the run chase with both teams keeping an eye on the DLS required rate.
Marizanne Kapp (23 off 12) and Alana King (26 off nine) threatened to win it for the Scorchers but they fell just short.
