Woden-Weston FC 2 (Rachel Crittenden 36’, 45’) drew. Canberra FC 2 (Grace Gill 25’, Chantel Jones 82’)

A late strike from Chantel Jones rescued a point for Canberra FC at Woden Park on Sunday, as the battle for fourth place with Woden-Weston got tighter with a 2-2 draw.

Both sides struggled to impose themselves early as they looked to settle in, but the visitors created chances early as Jones through ball almost found the feet of Marcia Wallis through on goal.

Diarna Genovesi had a golden chance after seven minutes as Kate Thornton found her with a great low cross, but the forward had the ball caught up in her feet with the goal begging, and the Wanderers defence cleared the danger. Moments later Cassia McGlashan struck the upright for the hosts as they pushed, and the contest developed into a see-sawing battle.

Canberra FC found the breakthrough as they were awarded a penalty, and Grace Gill made no mistake as she fired home past Nat Lacey in goals.

Just ten minutes later though the Wanderers were awarded a spot-kick of their own, and Crittenden smashed her penalty into the roof of the net to square the ledger with ten minutes until the half.

The half appeared to be petering out with scores level until the hosts were awarded a free-kick in a reasonable position outside the box, but Crittenden made the most of it as her driven, swerving strike beat Natasja Vasta and buried in the back of the net for a halftime lead.

Canberra FC came out of the half on the attack and looking for an equaliser. Woden-Weston initially sought to match them but soon dropped deeper as the visitors pressure increased.

Jones controlled much of the play in midfield as she looked to open passing lanes up, but the hosts defended astutely and clogged Canberra FC’s attacking options.

Thornton continued to provide a threat down the left for the visitors while Lauren Allen was excellent at the back in the second half for Woden-Weston.

But with eight minutes to go in regulation Jones gathered the ball outside the box, sidestepped, and then fired a low drive right past a diving Lacey and into the bottom corner to set up a tense finish.

However neither side could find a breakthrough in the dying minutes, and the result keeps Canberra FC one point ahead of their opponents in the battle for fourth spot.