Western Australia is in danger of missing out on a spot in the Pura Cup final after falling agonisingly short against South Australia, losing by 42 runs at the WACA Ground.

Chasing 497 for an outright win, WA was dismissed for 454 with Shaun Marsh stranded on 103 not out.

His efforts and that of Justin Langer (120) and Murray Goodwin (95) almost earned the Warriors an unexpected six points.

With victories to NSW and Queensland, WA is now second on the Pura Cup table with 36 points, four points behind the Bulls and just two ahead of the Blues.

WA travels to Brisbane to take on Queensland in the last round of the season, while NSW plays Victoria at the MCG.

The Warriors started the last day promisingly with Langer and Goodwin dominating the SA attack in the first session.

At lunch, the duo had added 130 runs without loss and the Warriors went into the break at 1-171.

However, Langer was out shortly after play resumed, skying a sweep shot to short leg off the bowling of Daniel Cullen.

Marcus North looked solid at the crease but on 30 edged Paul Rofe behind to keeper Graham Manou.

Goodwin's dismissal was in a similar vein, tickling a ball from Ryan Harris outside off stump to the keeper at 4-273.

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