With scores locked at 1-1 at halftime, a goal two minutes into the second half to Joel Chianese was more than enough to secure the Sky Blues win and keep them in the hunt for a top four finish and finals berth.

The Sky Blues travel to Canberra next weekend for another must win clash to take on the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) on Saturday 30 February, a side they have recorded a win and draw against this season.

Alongside Chianese, Sydney FC midfielder Sam Munro played a starring role while Hussein Akil proved a lively threat for the Sky Blues.

Sydney FC took the lead in just the 7th minute thanks to own goal from Diogo Ferreira. It was that man Chianese who set up the opener with a powerful run into the box with his cross being directed into the Victory net by Ferreira.

Both sides then launched a series of sizzling shots on their opponent's goal, with Sydney FC goal keeper Matt Pullman pulling off a succession of goal savers while the outstanding midfield work of Iain Ramsay continued to create chances for the Sydney.

It wasn't until the 41st minute until the scoreline would change, this time Melbourne slotting a goal through Tolli, who guided a smart low cross past Pullman.

Whatever was said at halftime clearly worked for Sydney FC and in the 47th minute Chianese sprinted down the field and pounced on a Victory defensive error to sneak up, take possession of the ball and nudge it past the Melbourne keeper.

Munro was unlucky not to register a goal with his low drive hitting the post in the 52nd minute while Melbourne had no answer for Chianese and his memorising runs up front.

Despite creating a wealth of further chances, the Sky Blues couldn't find their third goal but in the end it wasn't needed.

The win, the sides tenth of the season, sees them move to 34 points, the same as the fourth placed Gold Coast United. However, Gold Coast remains in fourth with a better for and against.