Jones, who announced through the week he wouldn't be continuing on as senior coach in 2020, was unable to start his final block of four games in charge with victory.

Despite missing a host of key attacking options, including leading scorer Tom Youngs (suspension), Zac Walker (back) and Archie Thompson (unavailable), the hosts led first.

Aaron Midon put the Border side ahead in the 24^th minute from the penalty spot after Lewis Greenwood was brought down in the box.

Murray absorbed a lot of pressure from the visitors to maintain the 1-0 buffer at the break, but it didn't take long for the tide to turn.

Moments before half-time, goalkeeper Ryan Clarke left the field with a hamstring injury, with teenager Lachie James replacing him.

Clarke, one of the goalkeeping coaches at Murray, was already filling the gap left by departed shot stopper Abdulkerim Koc and the suspended Jack Mwala.

James performed admirably under the circumstances, but was unable to stop Werribee's resurgence as the visitors scored twice in six minutes just before the hour mark from a series of dangerous crosses into the box.

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Midon and substitute Steve Fidele had chances later in the contest to keep Murray in it, but were off target as they remain eight points behind Goulburn Valley Suns for the last spot in the top-six with three matches to play.

"It seems to be a reoccurring theme for us," Jones said.

"We were really undermanned today, we had Tommy Youngs and Archie (Thompson) both out, but it gave us an opportunity to start Jordy Hore in the middle of the park and I thought he had a really good game.

"Our first 45, I couldn't fault the boys, I thought the effort and application was superb and we deserved to be 1-0 up at the break.

"We spoke about the need to keep playing and not sit in too much, but once they got that first goal I felt we went into our shells when we needed to be more brave and get forward.

"Obviously losing Ryan (Clarke) that early, we've had rotten luck in that regard and were forced to use a sub, but Lachie (James) came on and had a really good game.

"Although it's a 2-1 loss, we've been able to give some young guys minutes."

The ladder after round 25 is: Eastern Lions 50*, Bulleen 47, Northcote City 44, Langwarrin 39, Manningham United 35, GV Suns 32, Melbourne City 29, Murray United 24, Box Hill United 20, Springvale 18.