Gungahlin United 0 def. by Canberra FC 1 (Michael Taurasi 34')

A first-half header from Michael Taurasi was enough for Canberra FC to finish 1-0 winners over Gungahlin United on Sunday afternoon and jump outright top of the league.

The result leaves Gungahlin United on a three-match winless run in the league and now sitting outside the top four heading into the final few games of the season.

United came out strong to begin the Federation Cup rematch and came close through Antoni Timotheou just three minutes in.

And five minutes later Michael Rinaudo had the ball in the back of the net for the hosts only to see it ruled out as the offside flag went up.

That was something of a turning point, as the visitors looked to take over the game from there. Taurasi attempted a stinging effort from long range to no avail, before Thomas James and Matthew Waters combined well to create a couple of chances in quick succession.

And just over 10 minutes before the break Canberra FC struck, as Taurasi placed his header perfectly from a cross past Jason Denham to put his side ahead and although Ryan Keir and Kofi Danning had chances to extend the lead it remained at just a goal at half-time.

The visitors continued to create chances out of the break but were unable to convert, and United were left frustrated as they too wasted chances to get back into the game. Jason O’Dwyer was presented with a good chance from Thomas Muller’s cross with 24 minutes left but put his effort wide, and Jacob Ayuel came close with a header with 10 minutes to play.

That was it as the game fizzled out with Canberra FC maintaining their one-goal lead to the final whistle. The result leaves them one point ahead of Canberra Olympic in first place with a game in hand, while Gungahlin United are now three points behind Belconnen United for fourth, albeit also with a game in hand.