An Ashleigh Sykes-inspired Canberra scored three second-half goals to beat the Melbourne Victory 3-0 at McKellar Park, extending a formidable defensive and winning record at their home ground.

In stifling 36C heat, Jenna McCormick, Sykes and Michelle Heyman scored as Canberra moved clear in second place on the ladder to put one foot in the finals with three games left in the regular season.

Canberra haven't conceded a goal in 530 minutes of W-League action at McKellar and are unbeaten at the venue since November last year.

Their winning ways has put the defending champions on a collision course with unbeaten Melbourne City, as United eye off revenge for a 4-2 defeat in round three.

"We're probably still hurting that we didn't take the chances we had against Melbourne City, we really want another crack at them," said coach Rae Dower.

"The only way it looks like we can get that crack at them is in the grand final.

"We need to do our bit and keep winning games, aim to cement second spot [on the ladder] to get a home semi-final and hopefully if we do that, and they win, then the big dance is against them.

"We've undoubtedly got the team to win."

Officials pushed kick-off back by an hour to 5pm to protect the players from the intense heat in Canberra.

It was 36C at the start of the game and the players pushed their body to the limit as the W-League implemented its drinks break policy.

Canberra were unfazed by the conditions and, despite losing captain Nicole Begg before kick-off with back spasms, dominated possession and opportunities in the first half.

However, they failed to land a blow to the struggling Victory outfit, with the best opportunity coming when Sykes hit the post before half-time.

It took some superb interplay between McCormick and Heyman to break the deadlock just after the break, with South Australian McCormick scoring her second goal in two weeks.

The former Adelaide United player of the year has made the switch from defence to attack this season since joining United, and Canberra is reaping the benefits.

"For me it's really exciting and something different. Switching between the two has been easy and going back up front has kind of taken the reins off," McCormick said.

"It's a bit like, 'away you go' and I've really enjoyed it, a bit of freedom and I'm really loving the move."

Sykes continued her stellar season and cemented her place as the most in-form player in the competition with a stunning goal to extend Canberra's lead.

After turning 24 on Tuesday, Sykes calmly won an aerial contest in the Victory box, controlled possession, spun away from her defender and sent the ball rocketing into the top of the net.

Star striker Heyman then completed the easy win with her goal in the 81st minute.

It moved Canberra to 19 points on the ladder, still five behind Melbourne City, but six clear of Sydney FC.

They play Perth, Western Sydney and Adelaide in their remaining three games and desperately want a chance to defend their title.

"We had another three great team goals but to be fair we probably should have put the game to bed at half-time with the chances we had," Dower said.

"At times we had so much space we didn't know what to do with it, that's something we have to work on.

"But it was another clean sheet ... we'll continue to chase Melbourne City while it's mathematically possible."

AT A GLANCE

CANBERRA UNITED 1 (Jenna McCormick 47', Ashleigh Sykes 56', Michelle Heyman 81') bt MELBOURNE VICTORY 0 at McKellar Park on Sunday. Crowd: 667.