Report by Tommy Doleman

Photo by Brett Klucznik

Paul Zimarino scored three minutes into stoppage time as Perth SC kept alive their outside hopes of winning the league with a 2-1 win over Inglewood United at Dorrien Gardens.

Brian Woodall cancelled out Niccolo Sabatini's opener for Perth inside the first 10 minutes, with both teams having spells of control and chances to win the game.

But it was Perth who struck the decisive blow as Zimarino got on the end of Frank Furfaro's pass to slide in the latest of winners.

Leaders Perth Glory defeated Cockburn 3-1, meaning Perth still remain four points behind with two games left, but head coach Ramon Falzon says the Azzurri can still have a say in the title race.

"Glory will not have two easy games and neither will we, mathematically it's still possible and we will push really hard until the end," he said.

"I think the boys deserved it, I feel for Inglewood because we snatched it so late, but we hit the post and the bar and I thought in the first half in particular we were superior.

"I was hoping that we could go into half-time with the lead, then second half Inglewood took control for periods and we had to defend. But we knew the chances would come and thankfully we scored with the last counter of the game."

Perth opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Sabatini was played through on goal and calmly slotted into the bottom corner.

But Inglewood equalised almost immediately, and in fine style, as Woodall caught everyone out with a terrific strike from long range.

The home side did most of the pressing after that and forced two fine saves from Alex Dunn, who palmed Harley Orr's header away, before Rocco Pizzata's drive was blocked by the stopper.

Inglewood's front three continued to offer a threat on the break, though, as Kenny Keogh raced beyond the defence and fired over the bar.

Dunn was called upon again to deny Gustavo Catarcione from point-blank range, while at the other end Alex Salmon cut inside from the right and flashed an effort just wide.

Both teams had chances late on as Catarcione stabbed over Alex Silla's cross and Salmon was denied brilliantly by Francis Soale, as Inglewood gained a foothold in proceedings in the second half.

Matt Milenkovic then struck the post on the turn inside the area, before Zimarino headed just wide as the points looked set to be shared.

That was, until substitutes Furfaro and Zimarino combined with basically the last kick of the game to keep their slim title hopes alive.

Perth SC 2 (Sabatini 9min, Zimarino 90+3)
Inglewood 1 (Woodall 10)
Saturday, August 11
Dorrien Gardens
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: David Bruce
Assistant referees: Adrien Liechti, Thomas Ashton

Perth SC: GK: Francis SOALE, 2. Alex SILLA, 5. Niccolo SABBATINI (17. Frank FURFARO 78), 6. Harley ORR, 8. Tom KING, 9. Gustavo CATARCIONE, 10. Nicholas AMBROGIO, 11. Matthew MILENKOVIC, 12. Jordan DE LEO, 13. Rocco PIZZATA, 14. Kristian SANTICH (20. Paul ZIMARINO 71)
Substitutes not used: RGK: Malek KUC, 7. Aleks JOVIC, 19. George FESTA
Yellow cards: Silla 72
Red cards: Nil

Inglewood United: GK: Alex DUNN, 2. Alex ISHIDA-LIVINGS, 4. Scott BLACKMORE, 7. Kenny KEOGH, 8. Jason BARRERA, 9. Alex SALMON, 11. Ellis HEALING (10. Ash ROSINDALE 73), 15. Brian FARRELL, 17. Rikki SMITH, (16. Jamie MURPHY 46), 19. Conor BESCI, 23. Brian WOODALL
Substitutes not used: 3. David CYRUS, 6. Milorad VUJACIC, 12. Feisal ZAW
Yellow cards: Smith 31
Red cards: Nil