Two goals within the final 10 minutes of the match against Sydney FC have given Perth Glory a 2-1 triumph and a four-point lead at the top of the A-League ladder.
The first clear-cut chance of the match came from the Glory as Rostyn Griffiths was given a free header towards goal, but his effort missed the target and went wide.
A few minutes later, Mitch Nichols had a chance to open the scoring for the visitors, but his low shot was saved by goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic, who used his feet to knock away the danger.
At the other end, Sydney had their first sniff at goal within the first 10 minutes when Bernie Ibini-Isei found space in the box to unleash a shot, but his effort was comfortably saved by Danny Vukovic.
As the half went on, chances became limited, but Sydney had an opportunity to break the deadlock when Alex Gersbach lofted the ball to find Ibini, but his header went wide.
Shortly afterwards, Perth had a great chance to find the back of the net went Andy Keogh went one-on-one with the keeper, but Matthew Jurmen committed a well-timed sliding tackle to clear the danger.
After the break, Sydney were awarded a controversial penalty when Shane Smeltz's shot at goal appeared to graze the arm of Dino Djulbic.
Once the referee pointed to the penalty spot, Smeltz lined up the ball and eased it into the back of the net to give his side a one-goal lead.
Terry Antonis came close to doubling the home side's lead when he unleashed a shot following a counter-attack, but Vukovic made a one-handed save to deny the midfielder.
Sydney looked to be moving to the top of the standings until Griffiths struck in the 83rd minute with a header from a set piece to draw level.
Shortly afterwards, Perth took the lead for the first time in the game when Keogh scored from the penalty spot to maintain his side's place at the top of the league.
Danielle Joynson
