Melbourne Victory's near-perfect season reached another milestone on Saturday with the surprise W-League leaders securing a gritty last-gasp derby win over Melbourne City, becoming the first side to do the double over the competition's heavyweights.
American playmaker Christine Nairn spectacularly netted the only goal of the game two minutes from fulltime as her wicked inswinging corner cleared a packed six-yard box.
Victory went into the match needing at least a point to regain top spot from Perth Glory who had claimed a hold on top spot on Thursday.
City dominated possession and goalscoring opportunities at Epping Stadium but Victory's trademark defensive organisation again proved key as they reprised a 1-0 win over the three-time reigning champions in November.
It was a typically tough-fought derby in the opening half with four cautions issued before the match settled into a better rhythm after the interval with some high-quality attacking from both sides.
City had much the better of the early exchanges with Tameka Butt notably forcing a superb close-range, one-handed save from Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont just before halftime.
Dumont remained busy in the second period against a City side once again without injured forward Kyah Simon.
While Victory now boast a three-point lead at the summit, City's fourth defeat in nine matches keeps them in fifth amid a congested ladder.
Meanwhile, the play-off hopes of Newcastle Jets and Canberra United hang by a thread after defeats against Sydney FC and Perth Glory earlier in the round.
Savannah McCaskill scored a double to help Sydney FC to a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the Jets on Friday.
The win keeps last season's grand finalists in touch with the top-four contenders.
Perth Glory left it late to maintain their perfect home record at the expense of the visitors from the nation's capital.
Sam Kerr earned and converted a contentious penalty five minutes from time as the Glory collected three crucial points.
Australian Associated Press
