By Alex Mitchell in Canberra

WESTERN United have moved a step closer to sealing the A-League Women premiership, with Canberra United given back the three points they were deducted by the governing body.

Canberra were docked the points for using a fourth substitution-window in their 2-1 win against Sydney FC on February 11, with the Australian Professional Leagues instead awarding the Sky Blues a 3-0 victory.

But Football Australia’s appeals process struck out the three-point deduction, finding the APL didn’t have the authority to impose the sanction despite United breaching the rule.

“The committee found in favour of the club, ordering that the APL determination to impose a forfeit and loss of competition points on the club be set aside, and that the original result of the Match be reinstated,” an FA statement read.

“APL have the right to appeal the determination of the committee to Football Australia’s independent appeals committee.

“If APL intends to do so, they must advise Football Australia within seven days of receiving the written determination.”

Canberra confirmed the result on Friday afternoon, earlier playfully suggesting Ellie Brush’s 87th-minute matchwinner was “possibly the latest winning goal in history”.

Canberra’s appeal centred around their belief they had received permission from the fourth official to make the substitution, coach Njegosh Popovich suggesting his side were only “guilty of following the direction of referees”.

With the three points re-distributed from Sydney FC to Canberra, Western United go into their penultimate regular-season game – against Canberra on Saturday – five points clear of the second-ranked Sky Blues.

A win would all-but-seal a remarkable premiership for the Victorian club, in their first season in the ALW.

Sydney have a game in hand on Western United, with three home matches in the next week on the run-in to finals.

Canberra, who move two points back from fifth-placed Melbourne Victory with two games to play, have also had their finals hopes revived.

They will be kicking themselves for dropping points against the Victory last weekend, leading 1-0 before conceding an 88th-minute equaliser.