The highly-anticipated contest was shortened due to a knee injury to Boomers’ star Alarna Parascos midway through the first half which required an ambulance. 

After an almost 30-minute delay, the game resumed in the second half where City striker Sam McIntosh finished off a great cross from Bridget McDiarmid to put her side in front.

Boomers fought gallantly in the dying stages, with Torey Saisanid finding with woodwork twice in the last five minutes, including the last play of the game with a free kick just outside the box.

The win moves City two wins clear of Boomers on top of the ladder with four rounds to play.

City co-coach Logan Rickard couldn’t have been more proud of the effort.

“The last half of the season we've had players in and out for injuries, family commitments and so on,” Rickard said.

“The team we had today was close to our full strength side, but we haven't had the training under the belt.

“Hopefully it's a run of hitting form before finals.”

But he couldn’t deny his stress levels were high as Boomers came within inches of finding the equaliser.

“It's easier to play than it is to watch,” Rickard said.

“Sally Lynch led well from the backline, Amy Martin, Haley Morris and Bridget McDiarmid were really solid in the middle and our striker Sam McIntosh was strong.

“Sam’s got a tear in her right quad, so she basically played the whole game left footed.”

Boomers’ coach Stephen Hayes was happy with the way his side handled the second half, but admitted they took too long to get going.

He his hopeful Parascos will only miss one game with a dislocated knee.

“She's one of our key players and we didn't have her last time we played Albury City because she had a broken toe, so she's not having a good run against Albury City at the moment,” Hayes said.

“Providing there's no ligament, I'd say she'll only miss one game.”

Grace Wilson-Cooper also suffered a concussion late in the game, while Jenae Abel was restricted to just 15 minutes in the seniors after carrying a hamstring complaint.

“We thought she'd torn her hamstring, but it was related to her hamstring via her back,” Hayes said.

“She played the whole div two game, but I thought it was probably best I didn't flog her too much and just give her 15 minutes in the seniors.”

Elsewhere, Albury United and Wangaratta drew 1-1, Myrtleford held Wodonga Diamonds to a 0-0 draw, Albury Hotspurs and St Pats also drew 1-1, while Cobram and Melrose had the bye.

The ladder after round 18 is: Albury City 54, Boomers 48, Albury United 35, Wodonga Diamonds 35, Wangaratta 31, St Pats 31, Myrtleford 26, Albury Hotspurs 22, Melrose 18, Cobram 10.