A late Ashleigh Sykes penalty saw Canberra United record a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory in the Westfield W-League on Wednesday.
Natasha Dowie scored yet again for Victory, before Nicky Flannery levelled in the second half for Canberra in hot conditions at AAMI Park. But a late spot-kick from Sykes saw the visitors claim all three points to move top of the table.
Dowie fired an early chance wide before Bethany Mason-Jones made a low save to deny Stephanie Ochs.
Canberra captain Michelle Heyman came off on a stretcher early on in the hot conditions in Melbourne.
Victory would take the lead thanks to Dowie in the 30th minute. Captain Christine Nairn played in the in-form forward, whose smart placed finish went in off the post.
Dowie had another two chances before the break, firing over from an angle before being denied by Canberra goalkeeper Trudy Burke.
The Victory star remained lively after the interval, but the visitors equalised in the 52nd minute. Flannery took control of a loose ball before burying a finish into the bottom corner from an angle.
A slower tempo followed in the second half before Sykes converted from the spot after a handball in the area.
Westfield W-League 2016/17 Round 9
Melbourne Victory 1 (Natasha Dowie 30′)
Canberra United 2 (Nicky Flannery 52′, Ashleigh Sykes 89′ pen)
