The 37-degree temperature was a brutal welcome back to Viking Park as United battled out a 1-all draw with Perth Glory on Sunday afternoon.

Continuing their tale of the season, Canberra fought back from a one-goal deficit to ensure Grace Maher and Nicki Flannery celebrated their 50th milestone in style.

The stalemate also marked Chantel Jones' return to the W-League as the goalkeeper stepped in for the injured Sally James, making two crucial saves in the process.

But it was a tough comeback for Jones, with Vicki Linton's outfit still searching for an early goal as their first-half hoodoo continued for another match.

"It's tough to come out with a draw. I'm really proud of our efforts," Jones said.

"To go down at that point in the game, have that resolve to come back and have another chance to win shows our character. We just need to do that in the first half.

"We take a bit long to get settled in and we're not as clinical in the first half, I think we like a bit of pressure.

"We need to put that on us from the start, make sure our final passes are clinical and put the ball into the back of the net."

The absence of Kendall Fletcher due to a training knock paved the way for local junior Emma Ilijoski to make her starting debut, while Michelle Heyman wore the captain's armband for the first time since 2017.

Canberra controlled the match from the first whistle with their relentless attack, finishing with 14 attempts on goal to Glory's eight.

Defender Isabella Foletta had two shots fly high against her former team, while Heyman took the most chances with four attempts.

The Canberra striker looked dangerous on the through-balls but sent three shots wide from inside the box.

A reckless challenge on Paige Satchell by Sarah Carroll gave Canberra the chance they needed to snatch the lead, with the foul conceded in a central position.

But Grace Maher's free-kick was palmed away by goalkeeper Lily Alfeld, leaving United searching for another window of opportunity.

Perth broke the deadlock in the 86th minute via Elizabeth Anton's boot. The Kiwi defender finished off a set-piece to hand the visitors the lead, with Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni watching on from the stands.

But cometh the hour, cometh Canberra. United responded less than a minute later, with self-titled 'little nightmare' Taylor-Young smashing the ball home to salvage a draw.

"We're always looking for her to come on, be dynamic and make a difference. And she did, which is fantastic," Linton said.

"I thought we controlled most of the match and created some chances, certainly in that first half, but we knew Perth would be disciplined.

"Credit to them and what they're doing, they've had some tough circumstances in the preseason and start to the season.

"So I think that is a well-earned point and a tough day at the office for us. Credit to the girls and how they came back to ensure we didn't lose."

AT A GLANCE

W-League round five: CANBERRA UNITED 1 (Taylor-Young 87') v PERTH GLORY 1 (Anton 86') at Viking Park.