Roar hold Canberra to go top of W-League

A late flurry from Canberra United was not enough to break the deadlock as the hosts drew 1-1 with Brisbane Roar in sweltering conditions.

Rachel Corsie of Canberra United competes with Allira Toby of the Brisbane Roar Source: Getty Images AsiaPac

Canberra spurned late chances to win their W-League fixture against the table-topping Brisbane Roar after giving up a first-half lead.

The Roar started the match in sprightly fashion, testing Sham Khamis in goal in the opening minutes, but it was Canberra United who opened the scoring. 

Rhoda Mulaudzi opened the scoring for Canberra, seizing upon a poor back-pass from Claire Polkinghorne, rounding the on-rushing goalkeeper to score her fourth goal of the season.

Brisbane pushed forward to erase the deficit and were able to do so after a Carson Pickett cross was directed into the goal by a header from Allira Toby.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, with the two teams probing but rarely threatening the goal. 

The best opportunities fell to the home team, with a shot blocked in the box by Polkinghorne and Nickoletta Flannery hit the post off a pinpoint Ashleigh Sykes cross.

A controversial moment came in the 81st minute, with Canberra goalkeeper Khamis fouling Yuki Nagasato outside the box as the last defender.

Referee Katie Patterson waved away the furious protests of Roar players, punishing the foul with just a yellow card.

A final onslaught by Canberra United saw the ball fall to Maria José Rojas on the edge of the penalty area in stoppage time, only for the Chilean to send the ball over the bar.