An injury-time goal by New Zealand international Hannah Wilkinson has secured Melbourne City a vital come-from-behind 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar at Redcliffe.
The City striker headed home in the fourth minute of added time to break Roar hearts, her ninth goal of the season enabling the visitors to move three points clear of Adelaide United in second place on the A-League Women ladder.
City had fallen behind when Katrina Gorry scored a 71st-minute penalty as the Roar searched for a win that would ignite their push for the top four.
That lead was cancelled out by a stunning free kick from Rhianna Pollicina in the 79th minute.
The 24-year-old arrowed a shot from 30 yards into the top corner which gave Roar goalkeeper Mia Bailey no chance.
City refused to settle for just a point however and stole the victory, again from a free kick, deep into stoppage time to silence Moreton Daily Stadium.
Wilkinson towered highest at the back post and headed across goal to again give Bailey no chance.
The victory is a huge boost to City after their disappointing 3-0 loss to table-topping Sydney FC last weekend.
"Last game, we didn't really play good, and we started a bit shaky, first half, so there is always a bit of doubt in your mind," City coach Rado Vidosic told AAP.
"But we know that we've got quality, we know that, and you always like to hope that someone is going to have some kind of magic.
"To be honest that was two magical goals that you won't probably score again this year."
Defeat leaves Brisbane seventh on the ladder with just two wins this season and five points outside the finals positions.
The Roar also lost captain Ayesha Norrie to what looked a serious knee injury in the 65th minute after a clash with City's Leah Davidson.
"It doesn't look good," Roar coach Garrath McPherson said.
"We'll send her for scans tomorrow and we should know more."
Brisbane also lost Cannon Clough to concussion following a head clash with City's Marisa van der Meer which will also rule her out of Wednesday's game against runaway leaders Sydney.
It leaves McPherson scrambling for players as his team comes out of a COVID outbreak that forced last week's game against Newcastle to be postponed.
"It's been a nightmare. Every team and every coach in the league is experiencing the same across the men and women's game," McPherson said.
"We've got to wait and get the scans on Eesh (Norrie) and then we'll know what our numbers look like."
City's next game is at home against Western Sydney next Sunday.
