Shane Smeltz scored four goals as Gold Coast United cruised to a convincing 5-0 victory over North Queensland Fury at Skilled Park to climb to the top of the table. Smeltz opened the scoring in the 30th minute when he latched onto a through ball from captain Jason Culina before slotting home.

The New Zealander grabbed his side's second ten minutes into the second half when he scored from the spot, after Michael Thwaite was fouled inside the area, and he completed his hat-trick in the 62nd minute when he struck an effort that took a deflection off a Fury player on its way into the net.

You can talk about all the goals scored and no offence to 'Smeltzy', but I am more impressed with keeping a clean sheet.
Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg

It took Smeltz just one minute to score his, and Gold Coast's fourth, before substitute Tahj Minniecon completed the rout in the 80th minute.

"You can talk about all the goals scored and no offence to 'Smeltzy', but I am more impressed with keeping a clean sheet," United coach Miron Bleiberg said.

Victory fightback
Elsewhere, defending A-League champions Melbourne Victory battled back from two goals down to draw 3-3 at home to Brisbane Roar. Danny Tiatto opened the scoring in the 21st minute before Sergio van Dijk made it 2-0 two minutes later when he converted a penalty.

Carlos Hernandez pulled one back for Victory in the 32nd minute, but Henrique restored his side's two-goal advantage four minutes later.

Danny Allsopp made it 3-2 just before the hour mark and Hernandez scored a free-kick in the 70th minute to ensure his side took away a share of the spoils.