The Red Devils went ahead in the first half through Leanne Branson, before Maya Davis squared the ledger for the hosts ahead of the break.

Wangaratta dominated possession in the second stanza, but struggled to find the back of the net without key goal-scoring options Bianca Mulqueen and Colette Suter on the park.

An error from Devils' skipper Mel Scott allowed Johanna Ratnik the opportunity to get in behind the defence and put Melrose ahead 2-1 with 20 minutes to play.

The Melrose defence stood tall and saw out the remainder of the contest to claim the three points.

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"It's good for the girls, their confidence will go through the roof," Melrose coach Adam Waters said.

"I talked to her (Ratnik) on the bench and said she was probably due for a goal and she got it.

"She's had a few chances this year, so it was good for her to put one away."

St Pats took top spot in the league after beating Boomers 1-0, thanks to a penalty late in the game, while Albury United's horror run continued, falling 4-2 to Albury City to slip to second.

The senior women's ladder after round 18 is: St Pats 40, Albury United 38, Wangaratta 34, Albury City 30, Melrose 19, Boomers 16.

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