A Mackenzie Hawkesby penalty has launched Sydney FC to a 2-0 derby victory over bitter rivals Western Sydney and closer to the A-League Women top two.
Elsewhere, Matildas veteran Tameka Yallop led Brisbane Roar to a 2-0 upset of Melbourne City, putting Dario Vidosic's charges in peril of slipping further down the table.
The Sky Blues looked destined to share the points at CommBank Stadium on Saturday until Madison McComasky fouled fresh substitute Caley Tallon-Henniker in the penalty area.
McComasky immediately saw yellow and all Hawkesby had to do was slot the ball past goalkeeper Sham Khamis in the 67th minute.
"I was quite buzzed to take it," Hawkesby said.
"I knew that we had a lot of momentum and chances coming, and obviously taking it in a derby's huge.
"But I needed a goal and I'm really happy that I was able to convert it."
The Wanderers’ evening was made worse five minutes later when American defender Vicky Bruce was given her marching orders for tackling Cortnee Vine as the Matildas star charged towards goal.
Tallon-Henniker added further salt to the Wanderers' wounds when she found the back of the net three minutes into added time.
While Ante Juric’s side continue to chase back-to-back titles, the seventh-placed Wanderers will be kicking themselves for damaging their own finals campaign.
Sydney had failed to put the game to bed early with a barrage of attempts in the first half, with skipper Princess Ibini dogged either by her own inaccuracy or by the formidable Khamis.
Vine showed her quality with two classy crosses, but young forward Abbey Lemon could not capitalise, missing both from point-blank range.
"It's tough," Hawkesby said.
"Every game is tough, every season is tough, and this season is the toughest yet."
Third-placed Sydney are now just three points behind City, who are winless in five and have scored just one goal in their past three matches.
City regained New Zealand internationals Rebekah Stott and Hannah Wilkinson, but were without Young Matildas Daniela Galic, Naomi Chinnama and Tijen McKenna at Perry Park.
The Roar are now just three points outside the top six.
Alex Smith's charges took the lead in the 59th minute when Alicia Woods slipped through Yallop.
The attacking midfielder burst forward and coolly finished past Brazil international Barbara, who was playing her first game for City.
Two minutes after Yallop's goal, Woods repeated her creative heroics.
The 20-year-old slipped through explosive wing-back Sharn Freier, who burst past the City defence and coolly finished on her left.
City's Leah Davidson was lucky not to be penalised for handball at the death.
