Canberra United's defence went from rusty to rock solid in the space of a week to steer its W-League season back on track at the expense of Brisbane Roar.
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A maiden goal for defender Grace Field and Michelle Heyman's fourth of the season was enough for United to secure a 2-0 win over the Roar at McKellar Park on Saturday.
United coach Elisabeth Migchelsen changed her side's structure during the week in response to last week's 4-2 thumping at the hands of Melbourne Victory.
The switch worked a treat, as striker Stephanie Ochs and Ashleigh Sykes tracked back and helped out the defence on numerous occasions down their respective wings, while Caitlin Munoz and Julia De Angelis played screening roles in front of the back four.
"Our new formation worked really well," Field said. "It will obviously take practice and we'll get better and better at it, but against Brisbane it was successful.
Field was in the right spot at the right time, tapping in a header from Ellie Brush off an attacking corner to scoring her first goal in her 12th appearance.
"It was amazing, it's the things you dream of, so it was very exciting," Field said. "She just headed it straight to my foot, so she made it pretty easy for me to tap it in."
Apart from when United goalkeeper Chantel Jones was forced into a decent save to deny Tameka Butt in the second minute, chances were few and far between in a drab opening half-hour.
The game desperately needed a goal to bring it to life and Field's tap in did just that.
After taking a 1-0 lead into the break, United received just as much fortune in doubling its advantage in the 57th minute. An attempted clearance from Roar defender Brooke Spence ricocheted into the back of teammate Elise Kellond-Knight, and Heyman got the final touch.
The victory is United's third from four games this season and leaves it in a logjam inside the top four alongside Sydney FC and Perth Glory, who are both yet to play this weekend.
United's next challenge is away to the unbeaten Glory on Saturday in Perth.
Migchelsen's side could have some reinforcements. Former Adelaide United midfielder Tegan Riding will join the squad as an injury replacement for Meg McLaughlin, while US guest Kendall Fletcher has arrived in Canberra.
"Kendall needs to come into our training environment after a few weeks off," Migchelsen said.
"Meg was injured before she joined the squad.
W-LEAGUE: Canberra United 2 (Grace Field 36', Elise Kellond-Knight (og) 57') bt Brisbane Roar 0 at McKellar Park on Saturday. Crowd: 762
