Canberra United have thrown a new wrinkle in the race for the A-League Women premiership and given their hopes of playing finals a significant boost after stunning Sydney FC 2-1 at McKellar Park.
With scores locked at 1-1 heading into the final minutes after Michelle Heyman's fourth-minute opener was cancelled out by Rola Badawiya just after halftime, Ellie Brush's 87th-minute header served to seal a dramatic win for Canberra, their first over Sydney since December 2018.
Njegosh Popovich's side moved into fifth place on the ALW table with the win, although they will nervously monitor the status of Hayley Taylor-Young after the 20-year-old defender was subbed off in tears late in the first half with a leg injury.
The Sky Blues, conversely, missed out on the chance to take advantage of Melbourne City's loss to Western United and move into second, albeit while still retaining two games in hand on the top two.
After being honoured for her 150th ALW game before kickoff, Heyman struck early when she received the ball from Grace Jale on the edge of Sydney's area and placed an effort beyond a static Jada Whyman.
Knocked back on their heels and battling both United and 32C, Sydney had chances as the half progressed but struggled to work the ball into areas that would truly test United keeper Chloe Lincoln.
Sydney boss Ante Juric turned to his bench at halftime and was almost immediately rewarded when Badawiya pressed and picked the pocket of a too-casual Lincoln before finishing into an open net.
Matildas representatives Cortnee Vine and Princess Ibini had back-to-back chances to put Sydney ahead just past the hour mark but neither could find the net.
And with the tension rising, Brush rose highest to meet Grace Maher's corner to steal a late win with Canberra's first shot on target of the second stanza.
