The defending champions are in desperate need of reinforcements after striker Tony Saric (knee) and left back James Duvcevski (hamstring) became the Magic's latest casualties.

The undermanned Magic simply ran out of personnel en route to a 0-2 loss to the Melbourne Knights at Knights Stadium in North Sunshine on Anzac Day.

Compounding the loss was the news that Saric is likely to spend an extended period on the sidelines nursing a "twisted" knee and Duvcevski unlikely to be rushed back with his hamstring problem.

"He'll be out for a while," captain Pece Siveski said of Saric.

"It's a big blow."

Two substitutes down, the Magic injected Koce Delev and Jurica Silijanoski into the game and held firm to go into half-time with scores deadlocked nil-all.

But it was only a matter of time before the Knights would ram home the advantage with a double to Kevin Townson.

"We started well for the first 15 minutes of the second half," Siveski said.

"We gave everything we had.

"We just got out-run and they were stronger all over the park."

The Magic have picked up just two draws in the past three outings to tumble to third last on the ladder.

It does not get any easier for the hunted premiers with a visit to title contenders Hume City on the agenda for round nine on Sunday at Broadmeadows Valley Park.

In other news, the Magic is thrilled to see attacking midfielder Kliment Taseski signed with A-League expansion club Melbourne Heart.

The 18-year-old member of the Victorian Institute of Sport was a key member of the Magic's title-winning team last season.

■ Altona East Phoenix have broken the drought in state league 2 north-west with a 3-0 derby day win over rivals Altona City at HC Kim Reserve on Saturday.

Williamstown earned a share of the spoils in a nil-all draw with Banyule City at Gray Reserve.

■ Jasmin Ikanovic fired in the winner for Yarraville Glory over Cairnlea in state league 3 north-west.

■ Melbourne City upended the North City Lions 2-0 in provisional league 1 north-west, while Altona North hammered Keon Park 6-1 in the men's metropolitan league north-west after a hat-trick to Josh Bondin and a double to Jimmy Naumovski. Lance Jenkinson