It was an unexpected result as Western Sydney Wanderers held on to an audacious 2-1 victory over a frustrated Brisbane Roar.

This match was a tale of two clubs enduring a difficult season with the Wanderers coming off a demoralising loss and the Roar continuing with their struggle to find form early this season.

Both sides had come into the match with a desperate need for three points, in the hopes of keeping their chances of qualifying for a Season 7's finals series berth.

Odds were heavily pitted against the Wanderers in even coming close to taking a point off the highly touted Roar. Following last round's horrendous 10-1 loss to the unstoppable Perth Glory, Western Sydney had a lot of soul searching to do and this match a real test of their resolve.

The midfield battle can determine the path of the match and the return of key US midfielder Keelin Winters and Linda O'Neill was just the injection Western Sydney needed to muscle the Roar off the ball and give the Wanderers some much needed confidence.

The hard working defensive core of Caitlin Cooper and Rachael Soutar provided great cover to Trudy Burke's goal forcing a majority of shots from the Roar offence to be taken from distance outside of the 18 yard box.

Burke was outstanding in goals; preserving her side's score line as she countlessly tipped, dived and scrambled to deny the Roar a blown out victory favouring the home side.

The commenced as first expected with Katrina Gorry and Tameka Butt controlling the midfield and pressing and probing the Wanderers defence.

Despite their early chances, former Roar forward Hannah Beard was first to get on the Suncorp Stadium scoreboard, as fellow striker Michelle Carney played a lovely ball in and behind the Roar defence.

Carney, Beard and Helen Petinos proved to be good attacking outlets for the Wanderers as they used their pace to quickly transition from defence to attack.

In this case, Beard coolly angled the ball far left post as Roar Keeper Nadine Angerer, dived to cover, but failed to stop the Wanderers from taking the lead.

After a quick team huddle to regroup, the home side hit back immediately and a strong build-up of possession ended in Butt scoring a much needed equalizer seconds before the half time whistle.

The second half was dominated by Brisbane on the park but not on the scoreboard.

The Roar were helped as long injured team mate Amy Chapman made her return as substitute in the 62nd minute. Chapman delivered much needed composure on the ball and spread the play high and wide to create space in the offence.

Defenders Elise Kellond-Knight and Brooke Spence also displayed great endeavour in tearing up and down the flank to cross balls into the box and also retreat to mark on the counter.

Kim Carroll caused headaches for the Wanderers midfield in staying high and creating more pressure for the Wanderers midfield to scramble and disallow Brisbane's time on the ball.

While Brisbane missed chances offensively, it was an inadvertent header from one of their attackers that proved the difference as Larissa Crummer's effort from a Wanderers corner gifted Western Sydney their second goal.

Late in the match the Roar bombarded the Wanderers defence but this week they held up as the home side ran out of time and their multiple chances at goal did not find the back of the net.

Western Sydney had done enough and toppled a giant.

Brisbane were left shocked and disappointed with the realisation that their usual final's spot may be a lot harder to achieve than any other seasons previous.