Bentleigh have all but handed the premiership to South Melbourne after downing Oakleigh in what looms as a fatal blow to the Cannons’ title challenge.

The Greens recorded a vital victory for their finals football hopes in the 23rd round of the Victorian NPL, downing Oakleigh to take them eight points off “Hellas” with only three rounds left.

Port Melbourne managed a 1-2 away success over Avondale on Tuesday night to bring themselves one point within second.

The Sharks took a two-goal lead, thanks to Luca Tevere (14′) and Jackson Courtney-Perkins (76′), with the hosts bagging what proved to be a late consolation through Liam Boland (83′).

Bentleigh secured a great 3-2 home win against Oakleigh on Monday evening to keep up in the race for the top six.

Lucas Derrick (10′), Corey Sewell (57′) and Christian Cavallo (76′) propelled the Greens to the three points, though Mario Barcia (63′) and Joe Guest (90+4′) kept the Cannons in the contest.

A fruitful first half display was enough to guide “Hellas” to a 2-0 home victory over Altona on Saturday evening.

Patrick Langlois opened the scoring (3′) before Jake Marshall (45′) doubled up for the league leaders in what was the last goal of the game, though the second half still proved eventful as each side copped a red card.

South Melbourne manager Estaban Quintas was enthused by his team’s victory, their fourth in a row, but stressed they must continue to take on each challenge as they come.

“We protected what we had in our hands. Defensively, we were ordered without giving chances to our opponent…Football is a week-by-week game. We must keep it this way. If not, it would be a serious mistake for us,” Mr Quintas told Neos Kosmos.

Heidelberg dominated Dandenong City 5-1 at home on Sunday afternoon to temporarily move into fifth place as they hold firm in their fight for a top six finish.

“Megas” sailed into a four-nil lead, with contributions from Anthony Theodoropoulos (45+1′), Luca Ninkovic (51′), Kaine Sheppard (59′) and Kosta Petratos (64′), before their opponents offered some resistance through Tommy Semmy (65′).

Ioannis Georgopoulos (90+2′) ensured “Alexandros” had the final say on the match and completing their demolition of Dandenong.

NPL Victoria Ladder (teams which have a game in hand)

1-South Melbourne: 56

2-Oakleigh Cannons: 48

3-Port Melbourne Sharks: 47

4-Bentleigh Greens: 39

5-Green Gully: 39 (22)

6-Heidelberg United: 39

7-Avondale FC: 37

8-Dandenong Thunder: 32

9-Melbourne Knights: 26 (22)

10-Altona Magic: 23

11-St Albans: 23 (22)

12-Hume City: 19

13-Dandenong City: 17

14-Eastern Lions: 6 (22)

NSW

Sydney Olympic edged past Mount Druitt Rangers to manage an away 2-3 victory in the 21st round on Friday night, moving to second on 38 points and setting up a hugely nerve-wracking final matchday.

The Blues secured the three points, with Roy O’Donovan (24′, 89′) and Sam McIllhatton (42′) doing enough to cancel out the efforts of Mabior Garang (72′) and Jack Stewart (90+3′), giving Olympic an opportunity next weekend to win the premiership as they face league leaders Blacktown City (only two points ahead).

In Northern NSW, Newcastle Olympic beat Edgeworth Eagles 3-0 at home in the 20th round on Sunday afternoon, ascending into fifth on 24 points, thanks to Jared Muller (71′) and Malik Thom (72′, 84′) .

SA

Adelaide Olympic suffered a heartbreaking 1-2 home defeat to Campbelltown City in their 19th round meeting on Saturday night to remain in tenth with 17 points.

The home side took the lead through Tzoi Tsarkani but City somehow scraped in two goals in the dying minutes via Adam Piscioneri (90′) and Jake Halliday (90+3′), stealing the victory from their opponents.

QLD

Olympic FC fought their way to a comeback 3-3 home draw against Capalaba FC in the 18th round on Saturday evening, maintaining second and increasing their season tally to 37.

The travellers bagged the first three goals of the match through Matthew Gordon (13′) and Luke Murphy (24′ pen, 51′), and then Zachary Kierpal rescued his team from trouble with a crucial hat-trick (56′, 72′, 90+4′ pen.).

ACT

Canberra Olympic fell 4-3 away to Gungahlin in an eventful, back-and-forth round 14 contest to on Sunday afternoon to keep in sixth on 13 points.

TAS

Olympia Warriors’ troubles continued this weekend after losing 1-2 to South Hobart in their round 15 home meeting on Saturday night, their third successive defeat by that scoreline, to stay in seventh (second-last) on six points.