The Georgies were never rated a chance against a Cannons team high on confidence after wins over Richmond and Hume City.

But they were ahead after 10 minutes when a fortuitous strike from Andrew Nabbout fell for James Blackburn to slot home.

The Cannons were arguably the better side of the first half but were unable to capitalize on their chances.

Despite Oakleigh attacking endlessly, they were forced to clear a ball off the line in the second half.

They found an equaliser when striker Michael Curcija flicked home past Martin John in the Georgies goal in the 81st minute.

But the visitors would find a winner, again on the counter attack, in stoppage time.

After a couple of shots were saved, youngster Evan Christodoulou looped home the winner from the edge of the area.

Richmond continued its impressive run with a 3-0 win over South Melbourne.

The home side was ahead courtesy of a header from Erhan Karahan after six minutes.

The lead was doubled 10 minutes before the interval when David Scullion broke through the South defence.

The visitors were much improved to begin the second period but unable to find the back of the net.

Midfielder Daniel Vasilevski managed to strike the post but the Eagles made it three in the 79th minute.

Substitute Jesse Krncevic scored against the run of play to wrap up the three points.

Hume City bounced back from two consecutive losses and piled more misery on Altona Magic with a 2-1 win.

Powerful striker Turhan Sumbul opened the scoring with a close-range effort after 90 seconds.

But Magic equalised when striker Pece Cergovski's angled effort hit the post only to be struck home by influential midfielder Dejan Radojicic.

Hume found the winner in the 55th minute when the lively Richard Cardozo centred a ball that led to an own goal after two Magic defenders were caught in a mix up.

Bentleigh Greens continued its dream run with a 2-1 win at Melbourne Knights.

The Greens fell behind after a quarter of an hour with Kevin Townson heading home a cross from Adrian Zahra at the back post.

Bentleigh was on level terms when Luke Fitzpatrick headed into an open net after Knights custodian Antony Loncaric was left stranded after coming for a cross.

The visitors took the lead four minutes later with Anthony Oullaris prodded home after a strike from Dean Piemonte was parried into his path.

A hat trick from striker Trent Rixon helped Northcote City to a 5-1 demolition of Heidelberg United.

It was United that hit the front when Hamid Basma volleyed home from 10 yards against the run of play.

But Eddie Soares got City back on level terms when he found the bottom corner in a one-on-one in the 39th minute.

And the returning Rixon gave Northcote the lead when he tapped in after a parry from Christian Morales.

In an exhilarating four-minute burst in the second period, Northcote scored three times.

First, Mark McGough produced a diving header to make it 3-1 in the 68th minute before Rixon slotted home from the edge of the area in the 70th.

Rixon had his hat trick from the resulting kick off when he unleashed a fierce drive from 30 yards.

Dandenong Thunder continued its revival with a 1-0 win over Green Gully.

The Thunder is surging after a poor start to the season and forward Joseph Di Iorio scored the only goal of the game in the 55th minute.

 

Ladder (after nine rounds)

1 - Oakleigh Cannons            +5        17 pts

2 - Richmond                         +4        16 pts

3 - Hume City                         +3        16 pts

4 - South Melbourne              +4        15 pts

5 - Bentleigh Greens*             +2        14 pts

 

6 - Sunshine George Cross   -1         14 pts

7 - Northcote City                   +2        10 pts

8 - Dandenong Thunder         -9         10 pts

9 - Green Gully                      -2         9 pts

10 - Melbourne Knights          +1        8 pts

 

11 - Altona Magic                   -3         7 pts

12 - Heidelberg United*          -5         3 pts

*denotes both teams have a game in hand

 

Goals

6 - Fernando De Moraes (South Melbourne), Kevin Townson (Melbourne Knights), Trent Rixon (Northcote City)

5 - Daniel Visevic (Richmond), Gianni De Nittis (South Melbourne), Jerry Karpeh (Oakleigh Cannons), Jesse Krncevic (Richmond)

4 - Osagie Ederaro (Heidelberg United), Jean-Charles Dubois (Melbourne Knights), Damir Lokvancic (Bentleigh Greens), Kyle Joryeff (Sunshine George Cross), Michael Curcija (Oakleigh Cannons)