The Cannons broke a three-game losing run to move back to the top of the league at Knights Stadium.

It started poorly for the Cannons, as Knights' French striker Jean-Charles Dubois opened the scoring inside the first minute.

But they recovered in the second half with Ricky Diaco levelling the scores with his second goal of the season.

Less than eight minutes later, substitute veteran striker Michael Curcija made it 2-1 with a goal from the penalty spot.

HUME City continued Richmond's winless run with a 1-0 home win, ensuring the Cannons would move top with the three points at Knights Stadium.

A cracking volley from striker Richard Cardozo left Eagles keeper Stjepan Gal unmoved on 25 minutes, enough to secure the three points for City.

HEIDELBERG United put a serious dent into South Melbourne's finals hopes as it continued its fine form with a 2-0 win over its rival.

Striker Nicholas Marinos scored two late goals from the penalty spot.

The first after South's Joe Keenan bundled Osagie Ederaro over in the area and the second after a handball.

DANDENONG Thunder also continued its fine form with a 1-0 win over the lowly Altona Magic.

A single goal on the stroke of half time from playmaker Ibraim Ibraimi was enough to secure the points.

GREEN Gully maintained its position in the top five with a thumping 4-0 over the Bentleigh Greens.

The Cavaliers made the most of a strong breeze after the Greens failed to capitalize on it in the first half.

Striker Mathew Sanders headed home a free kick from Steven Burton to open the scoring on 46 minutes.

Soon after, a fortuitous ball fell for him in the area to make it two.

Burton was on the scoresheet himself midway through the second half, heading in a lovely cross from Graham Hockless.

Young substitute Michael Anderson made it four with his first senior goal in stoppage time, sending a superb low shot into the corner of the Greens net.

NORTHCOTE City inflicted more sorrow on Sunshine George Cross with a 3-0 home win.

City went ahead on 18 minutes when Georgies defender Christos Konstas bundled a cross from Mark McGough into the net.

Northcote made sure of the points late on.

First, striker Trent Rixon brought down a ball with his chest before volleying home his 12th of the season.

In an attacking end to the game, Jonathan Voulgaris skipped by his defender before curling a fine shot into the corner to make it 3-0.

Ladder (after 17 rounds)

1 - Oakleigh Cannons                        +6        30 pts

2 - Richmond                                     +3        29 pts

3 - Hume City                                     +6        28 pts

4 - Green Gully Cavaliers                  +8        26 pts

5 - Heidelberg United                         +3        24 pts

 

6 - Dandenong Thunder                     -3         24 pts

7 - Northcote City*                             +8        23 pts

8 - South Melbourne                          +5        19 pts

9 - Bentleigh Greens                          -12       18 pts

10 - Melbourne Knights                      -3         16 pts

 

11 - Sunshine George Cross             -16       15 pts

12 - Altona Magic                               -5         13 pts

 

Goals

12 - Trent Rixon (Northcote City)

10 - Kevin Townson (Melbourne Knights)

9 - Fernando De Moraes (South Melbourne)

8 - Jerry Karpeh (Oakleigh Cannons)

7 - Daniel Visevic (Richmond), Kyle Joryeff (Sunshine George Cross/South Melbourne), Jean-Charles Dubois (Melbourne Knights), Michael Curcija (Oakleigh Cannons), Richard Cardozo (Hume City).