ANU held Tuggeranong to nil-all at half-time but United started to attack in the second.

Midfielder Simon Gemmell had a chance to breakthrough for the first goal five minutes into the second half when he went one-on-one against ANU keeper Peter Frazer, but Gemmell could only push it straight into Frazer's hands.

It started a frustrating 20 minutes for Tuggeranong which pushed at least four chances over the bar.

Tuggeranong also had two free kicks just outside the box but couldn't convert either after two ANU players received yellow cards.

It took a great run from Gemmell down the left wing to finally breakthrough in the 69th minute.

He crossed it into Dale Westmore who did enough to get it back to Gemmell at the top of the box he duly pushed it in at the far post.

Tuggeranong scored five minutes later when Tim Mathis found the net with a long range shot, and then after a couple of good saves from Fraser, Tuggeranong scored in the 89th minute when Westmore who had pushed about four chances over the bar finally drilled in a cross at the far post.

Tuggeranong is now equal with O'Connor in fourth place on points, and ahead in goal difference. O'Connor plays Canberra City at O'Connor today.

Tuggeranong coach Scott Conlon said his team had what it took to compete with the four teams above it on the ladder Canberra FC, Belconnen, Canberra Olympic and O'Connor in the lead-up to the finals.

Tuggeranong just missed out on the finals last year and is again fighting for fourth spot with five rounds to go.

''I think so, we're closer to the top four this year and there is a couple in there that aren't as strong as they were last year,'' Conlon said.

''So I think we are more than capable of troubling them.''

In the women's game yesterday, Belwest had a 1-0 win over Weston Creek at Hawker to almost certainly claim the league championship.