Canberra United have ensured they remain within touching distance of the A-League Women finals after recording a 1-1 draw with Western Sydney. 

In doing so, they have also ended the finals hopes of the Wanderers, who are now seven points behind fourth-placed Melbourne Victory with just two games remaining in their season. 

Docked three points earlier in the week after being found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in a 2-1 win against Sydney, things looked to be going from bad to worse for Canberra when Oliva Price put the hosts ahead in the 25th minute at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday. 

But a peach of an effort from Vesna Milivojevic 10 minutes later restored a parity that would ultimately hold.

Having already signalled an intention to appeal their points deduction, United are now two points behind Victory, who play Melbourne City on Monday.

The side from the nation’s capital will also host Victory next Saturday, the first of three-straight games against Victorian opposition to end their regular season.

Though they were able to force Western Sydney keeper Sham Khamis – starting in place of Jordyn Bloomer after her loan stint ended – into two early saves, the visitors went behind when Sophie Harding drove a ball across their penalty area that Price turned home.

But Milovojeic answered when she chested down a cross from Grace Jale and looped a half-volleyed effort into the top corner. 

Both sides, playing to keep their hopes of finals alive, had chances to win the game from that point. They combined for 28 shots in the match, but neither could break the deadlock.

Grace Maher came agonisingly close to a winner in the 91st minute when she drove a free-kick goalward, only for it to bounce off the crossbar and back into play.