It was fun while it lasted.

A euphoric week in Newcastle came to an abrupt end when the Knights - still buzzing from last round's season-opening victory - crashed back to earth with a 28-14 NRL loss to an equally-depleted Sydney Roosters.

After every party comes the hangover, and the Knights were feeling worse for wear after missing a golden chance to break a three year winless run against a Roosters outfit missing seven stars.

Newcastle was without NSW reps Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus and Steve Simpson, but remained confident of back-to-back wins at its home ground.

The Knights looked full of confidence when they arrived at EnergyAustralia Stadium after upsetting Penrith last weekend to break a 13-game losing streak - the equal fifth worst season start in Australian rugby league history.

But that sinking feeling again enveloped the Knights as they walked off losers for the 14th time this season, despite an impressive hat-trick of tries to winger Trent Salkeld.

The Knights have now not beaten the Roosters since 2002 - a run of eight straight losses.

The Roosters were without Origin representatives Michael Crocker, Chris Flannery (Queensland), Craig Fitzgibbon and Anthony Minichiello (NSW), while NSW utility Craig Wing (hamstring) was out injured.

They were further depleted by mid-week suspensions to prop Adrian Morley (knee lifting) and Ryan Cross (eye-gouging).

However, Newcastle - nursing an eight-strong injury list after winger Anthony Quinn succumbed to flu - had no answers.

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