It seems there is no light at the end of the tunnel for woe-stricken Perak who lost 3-2 to Sri Pahang in the Super League on Sunday.
Pahang raced ahead with goals from former Myanmar youth international Aung Kaung Mann (34th minute) and Kenny Athiu (58th and 87th) at the Perak Stadium.
Perak staged a late surge with goals from Leandro dos Santos (67th) and Careca (90th) but it was not enough.
The match was halted for about five minutes in the closing stages after disgruntled Perak fans threw flares onto the pitch.
The loss leaves Perak in the relegation zone with only 12 points from 13 matches.
Pahang, who also have 12 points, are in 10th spot. one rung above Perak on goal difference.
The Silver State did not list goalkeeper Azri Ghani, midfielders J. Partiban and D. Kenny Palraj in the squad, and it raised question of the trio's future following reports of unpaid wages.
On Saturday, Perak captain Shahrul Saad and naturalised striker Guilherme de Paula dropped a bombshell by joining Johor Darul Ta'zim.
On Sunday, Perak FC chief executive officer Rizal Ali Naizali announced his resignation over the unpaid wages outcry.
Perak coach Chong Yee Fatt admitted that the three players are no longer part of the team.
"There is no more speculation... they are gone," said Yee Fatt after the match.