Roar keep W-League defence on track

Brisbane Roar have kept their W-League title defence on track with a 2-1 win over Canberra United in a repeat of last season's grand final.

Undefeated this campaign with five wins from six matches, the Roar were forced to work hard before eventually overpowering United to maintain a three-point gap over Central Coast Mariners who won 2-1 over Perth Glory.

The Roar didn't have it all their own way in the nations capital against a United side that have endured an erratic campaign so far, and it took a candidate for goal of the season from Elise Kellond-Knight 16 minutes from time to seal the victory.

Matildas midfielder Kellond-Knight collected the ball at the edge of the penalty area, and, after a couple touches, curled home a stunning effort into the top right corner.

Earlier Joanne Burgess had opened the scoring in the early stages for the Roar, with United's Cian Maciejewski equalising near the hour-mark.

"I think looking back at the game the draw would have been a fair result," said Roar coach Jeff Hopkins.

"But it's the quality and the character of our team that gets us through when things get tough."

The win for the Roar was their 16th match without defeat since a 1-0 home reversal against United in round two last season.

The Mariners maintained their drive to catch the Roar with another impressive performance in seeing off the Glory in Perth.

Mariners American import Lydia Vandenbergh scored on 20 minutes with the rejuvenated Michelle Heyman doubling the advantage in the second half, before Perth's Marianna Tabain pulled a goal back to set-up a grandstand finish.

Heyman, who failed to make an impression with Sydney FC last term, moved to the top of the goal charts with her fifth strike of the campaign as the Mariners continue to defy pre-season predictions.

Sydney FC lost valuable ground slipping to third after a lucky 1-1 draw against Melbourne Victory in Shepparton.

For the second week in succession Victory suffered the heartbreak of conceding an injury-time goal, with Maika Ruyter-Hooley putting through her own net in the 94th minute as Sydney escaped with a point, after Julianne Sitch had scored the opener with a stunning solo effort.

Bottom of the table pair Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United shared the points in an entertaining six-goal thriller.

Despite a season tally of just two goals between them, the duo played out an entertaining contest with the Jets forced to recover from a two-goal deficit after Rachel Quigley grabbed a brace for the visiting Reds.