A lone strike from Brittany Palombi just seconds into the second half proved the difference and ensured Monaro came away with the three competition points.

But Angelo Maralit’s side will consider itself lucky, as it was the Panthers’ less-fancied opposition that played the better football for a majority of the round eight encounter and was perhaps more deserving of the victory.

In an entertaining opening 45 minutes, Woden looked far from a side grounded at the foot of the competition table, hogging possession and playing the game on the front foot inside the Monaro half.

Chances were aplenty for the visitors thanks to Taylor Smith and Rachael Pearson, who were both particularly impressive in the midfield and the attacking quarter.

Disappointingly though, the competition’s bottom side was unable to translate its dominance into goals and Monaro had the backline expertise of Rebecca Watts and Stephanie Coates to thank.

The defensive duo time after time extinguished the danger Woden created in its many forays into the hosts’ red zone and managed to keep Monaro on even terms as the sides entered half time locked at 0-0.

The deadlock was broken just 11 seconds into the second-half when Palombi netted her seventh goal of the campaign in spectacular fashion.

The Monaro starlet made a run down the left flank and latched onto a neat pass before fending off two defenders and slotting the ball high into the Woden goal from the corner of the area to give her side an undeserved 1-0 lead.

That strike knocked the wind out of Woden’s sails and Monaro, who wasted numerous presentable opportunities to go further ahead, clung to its lead to complete the victory.

Monaro Panthers 1 (Brittany Palombi 46’ ) def Woden Valley 0 at Riverside Oval.

Monaro Panthers: 1. Jocelyn MARA, 2. Nikola ORGILL, 4. Sigourney DUNK, 5. Olivia MOORE, 6. Becky WATTS, 7. Melku JOHNSTONE, 8. Zoe SZEREMET, 9. Lara WESTON, 10. Ashleigh PALOMBI, 12. Brittany PALOMBI and 15. Stephanie COATES. Substitutes used: 3. Elizabeth McPHERSON, 12. Hiwot JOHNSTONE, 14. Natalie DE MARCO

Woden Valley: 1. Gill RAYMOND, 2. Lorena BARBARO, 3. Georgia FOGARTY, 4. Rachael PEARSON, 7. Hayley HINDE, 8. Jamie BERKELEY, 9. Samantha ROFF, 11.Taylor SMITH, 12. Anissa TANN, 14. Leanne McEWAN and 15. Ruth KRAVIS. Substitutes used: 13. Rachael FEARN, 17. Sarah WHITFIELDDiscipline: YELLOW CARDS: None

Match Officials: Patrick Holloway (referee), Boyd Jonas, Jarryd Cook