A spirited come-from-behind win has allowed South Melbourne to take back first place, capitalising on Oakleigh’s slip-up home draw against the bottom side.

“Hellas” fought hard to down Bentleigh in the 15th round of the Victorian NPL, moving two points ahead of the Cannons in what is currently a very tight race for the premiership.

The league leaders recorded a 3-2 home win over the Greens (Παγκύπριος) on Saturday evening, overcoming a 1-2 deficit at the break, to move back to outright first on the ladder.

Marcus Schroen (9′), Pat Langlois (51′) and Harrison Sawyer (72′) found the back of the net for South Melbourne while Corey Sewell (18′) and Pierce Waring (40′) were the scorers for Bentleigh.

Oakleigh paid the price for a shock 1-1 home draw against last-placed Eastern Lions on Friday night, with the Cannons only just rescuing a point with a late equaliser. The result brought an end to the hosts’ eleven-match winning streak.

Christopher Lucas (86′) bagged the equalising goal for Oakleigh, cancelling out Ryan Losty’s effort (39′).

Port Melbourne Sharks suffered a 1-2 defeat on home soil against Hume City on Saturday, with the travellers managing striking within the final five minutes to take the three points.

Jackson Courtney-Perkins gave the Sharks the lead (51′) before Matthew Lazarides (61′) and Alex Walter (72′) helped the visitors to the win.

Heidelberg United hung on to an impressive 1-2 away victory over Dandenong Thunder, with “Μέγας Αλέξανδρος” somehow holding onto their lead despite suffering two red cards in the second half. The win takes the club within range of the top six.

Ajdin Fetahagic (29′) and Adrian Zahra (44′ pen.) helped Heidelberg to a 0-2 lead, with Thunder only managing to get one back through Ali Sulemani (71′)

NPL Victoria Ladder

1-South Melbourne: 37

2-Oakleigh Cannons: 35

3-Green Gully: 28

4-Port Melbourne Sharks: 28

5-Avondale FC: 24

6-Bentleigh Greens: 23

7-Heidelberg United: 22

8-Dandenong Thunder: 21

9-St Albans: 20

10-Melbourne Knights: 19

11-Altona Magic: 17

12-Hume City: 12

13-Dandenong City: 7

14-Eastern Lions: 6

NSW

Sydney Olympic earned a fantastic 1-3 away victory over rivals Rockdale in the 13th round on Sunday afternoon to move into third place on 24 points, just one point behind Peter Tsekenis’ Marconi Stallions in first.

Roy O’Donovan’s quickfire brace (8′, 11′) and Oliver Puflett (41′) helped the Blues down the hosts, with Alec Urosevski offering some resistance with his goal (20′).

In Northern NSW, Newcastle Olympic fought themselves to a 2-2 away draw against Weston Workers in the 12th round on Saturday afternoon, overcoming a first half red card to keep in fourth on 11 points.

SA

Adelaide Olympic suffered their third straight defeat on Saturday afternoon, losing 2-0 away against North Eastern Metrostars in their 12th round clash to remain in tenth on ten points. Justin Davis scored both goals for the hosts (35′, 65′).

WA

Floreat Athena recorded a huge 0-1 away success over league leaders Stirling in their tenth round, moving to 20 points on the ladder in third (only a solitary point behind first and second). Bayley Brown-Montgomery (31′) secured the winning goal for Athena.

ACT

Canberra Olympic lost 2-1 away against top side Canberra Croatia, remaining in sixth place on nine points. Elie Darwich put the visitors in front (63′ pen.) until a couple of late strikes from Daniel Barac (82′) and Jason Ugrinic (86′) overturned the deficit.

QLD

Olympic FC’s clash with Eastern Suburbs was postponed due to weather.