A late equaliser has secured Melbourne City a 1-1 A-League Women draw with Sydney FC but it wasn't enough to keep their hopes of a premiership alive.
Cortnee Vine's first-half strike looked like it would prove all the visitors needed but a 94th minute corner from Chelsea Blissett was turned in at the back post by Kaitlyn Torpey to tie things up and set up frantic finish.
Further desperate attempts to find a winner followed from Hannah Wilkinson and Holly McNamara but Rado Vidosci's side couldn't find a late goal.
With two games remaining on their season, City now cannot finish higher than second on the ALW table.
They can finish on a maximum of 35 points while first-placed Western United have 36 points.
Though still second, Sydney still control their own destiny in the season's final weeks.
Wins in their remaining games against Adelaide, Perth, and Newcastle will be sufficient to secure a third straight premiership regardless of Western's results.
McNamara almost set up the opener when she cut the ball back to Daniela Galic in the ninth minute, only for the resulting shot to be well saved by Jada Whyman.
But Sydney's speed came to the fore in the 24th minute when Sarah Hunter grabbed a loose ball from a City corner and placed a perfectly-weighted ball into the path of Vine, who steamed into the area and slid a shot past Sally James.
It was almost two just before halftime when Vine crossed for Princess Ibini, only for Naomi Chinnama to desperately dive in front of her shot and head it into the post and back into play.
Unable to convert one of several further strong chances in the second, Sydney was then watched on as Torpey stole a late draw for the hosts.
