A-League: Perth Glory 4 Melbourne Victory 2

24 March 2012 19:26

Four goals from Shane Smeltz has propelled Perth Glory to a 4-2 win over Melbourne Victory in the A-League on Saturday night.

Smeltz, who became the A-League's highest all-time goal-scorer with his performance, helped the injury-depleted Glory twice come back from a goal down to wrap up the three points and give his team a huge chance of securing third spot on the table.

The New Zealand striker scored once before half-time and three more in an 18-minute spell after the break to give Perth a three-point buffer over Wellington.

The Glory will finish third, which ensures home field advantage until the preliminary final, unless the Phoenix beat league leaders Central Coast by at least three goals on Sunday.

Carlos Hernandez gave Victory the lead on 22 minutes, while Mark Milligan restored their advantage in first-half stoppage time after Smeltz's first goal.

But costly defensive lapses, particularly in the second half, proved Melbourne's downfall as they finished off a massively disappointing campaign in eighth spot with just 29 points.