With just eight minutes of regulation time remaining and at 4-1 down – with a player less too – the much-heralded return to Australia’s domestic competition of the W-League’s first marquee player appeared destined to end on a rather flat note for Perth Glory.

But a quite remarkable turnaround, capped by a Sam Kerr cross in injury time that was turned into her own net by the unfortunate Rachel Corsie, ensured Perth left McKellar Park with an unlikely point – and Kerr’s first appearance of the season made headlines.

Perth Glory stage incredible comeback Sam Kerr makes first W-League appearance of season – as it happened Read more

Perth had opened the scoring against Canberra early on – through the first own goal of the afternoon, courtesy Denise O’Sullivan’s header past her own keeper – but the visitors were swamped thereafter as the hosts opened up a three-goal lead.

Refiloe Jane equalised from the penalty spot before United took the lead on the half-hour mark through Rhoda Mulaudzi. Chilean Maria Rojas fired into the top corner to make it 3-1 before half-time and when Jane netted her second penalty of the game on 77 minutes, the writing appeared to be on the wall.

The fourth came with Canberra enjoying from a numerical advantage after Sarah Carroll had been shown a second yellow card with half an hour of play remaining, but despite the odds stacked against them, Perth then staged a comeback for the ages.

Alyssa Mautz sparked off the recovery on 82 minutes before Leticia McKenna struck from outside the box five minutes later. And when Kerr, who was suspended for Glory’s opening game of the season and had largely cut a frustrated figure in Canberra, sent over a dangerous cross in injury time, it deflected off Corsie and into the back of the net.

The scarcely believable comeback preserved Perth’s unbeaten start to the season, although following a 1-1 draw with Brisbane last weekend, they are still without a win.

In Sunday’s other game, last season’s premiers Brisbane collected their first win, with a smart first-half free kick from Carson Pickett the difference between the two sides.

The fullback squeezed her effort inside the near post for a second goal in as many matches, but the Roar were indebted to busy goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold for all three points at Marconi Stadium.