South Melbourne emerged victorious in the battle against Oakleigh, putting themselves in pole position to win the premiership with only a handful of games left.

The league leaders narrowly defeated their closest challengers in the 22nd round of the Victorian NPL to go five points clear with only four rounds left, a lead which looms to be too big to overturn.

Heidelberg United beat Hume City 3-2 at home on Sunday afternoon to draw level on points with fifth-placed Bentleigh and sixth-placed Green Gully, behind only on goal difference.

“Megas” went ahead after strikes from Sean Ellis (5′) and Eoin Ashton (76′) before Kaine Sheppard’s own goal (81′) brought Hume back into the game. Sheppard soon redeemed his error (89′) which proved vital as the visitors had one final impact on the contest via Lachlan Weier (90+2′).

“Hellas” held on to record a 1-0 home success over the Cannons on Saturday evening, thanks to a second-half goal from Marcus Schroen (53′).

The victory drastically increases South Melbourne’s chances of finishing in first but manager Estaban Quintas stressed this can only be seen as another win, albeit a crucial one for their ambitions.

“We have not achieved anything yet, only three important points against a direct rival…the players executed our game plans in a great way. I am proud of the boys,” Mr Quintas told Neos Kosmos.

Port Melbourne was held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against second-last Dandenong City.

The Sharks took an early lead through Ross Archibald (7′) which was cancelled out by Nicholas Jordan Dib (63′) in what proved to be the final decisive moment of the match.

Bentleigh fought their way back to earn a 2-2 away draw with Dandenong Thunder, though their top six hopes still remain in jeopardy.

Goals to Anthony Frangie (24′) and Harry Ascroft (29′) put the hosts ahead at the break when a brace from Ajak Riak (79′, 86′) ensured the Greens could escape with a point.

NPL Victoria Ladder

1-South Melbourne: 53

2-Oakleigh Cannons: 48

3-Port Melbourne Sharks: 44

4-Avondale FC: 37

5-Bentleigh Greens: 36

6-Green Gully: 36

7-Heidelberg United: 36

8-Dandenong Thunder: 29

9-Melbourne Knights: 26

10-Altona Magic: 23

11-St Albans: 23

12-Hume City: 19

13-Dandenong City: 17

14-Eastern Lions: 6

NSW

Sydney Olympic secured a vital 0-1 away win over APIA Leichhardt in the 20th round on Sunday afternoon, jumping back into third on 35 points which is still only three points ahead of seventh with two rounds remaining.

An early second-half strike from Roy O’Donovan (48′) was enough for the travellers to triumph over one of their top four rivals, as the Blues will hope to use this result to propel themselves into the finals.

In Northern NSW, Newcastle Olympic thumped Cooks Hill United 1-4 away in their 19th round clash on Saturday afternoon, increasing their tally to 21 points while staying in seventh.

QLD

Olympic FC fell 1-0 to Sunshine Coast Wanderers in their round 11 catch-up game on Sunday night, thanks to Kyren Walters’ late effort (82′), to remain in second on 33 points.

WA

Floreat Athena smashed Gwelup Croatia 1-4 away in the 17th round on Saturday evening to go three points clear in first, taking their total to 36.

The home side struck first via Daniel Walsh (12′) before Athena recovered, proceeding to score four times through Robert Petkov (27′), Laat Mathiang (71′), Bayley Brown-Montgomery (80′) and Ben Steele (89′).

ACT

Canberra Olympic lost 2-1 to Monaro Panthers away in the 13th round on Saturday evening to stay in fifth with 13 points.

Nikos Kalfas put the Panthers in front on the half-hour mark, with the visitors equalising through David Mccarron (41′), but it was a penalty to Darren Bailey which sealed the victory (77′).

TAS

Olympia Warriors fought hard but ultimately were beaten 2-1 away by Launceston in the 14th round on Saturday afternoon, suffering their 12th defeat this campaign as they remain in seventh also second-last) on six points.