A man who tried to sexually assault a woman while she was standing on an inner Sydney street is still being hunted by authorities.

Police are looking for the man, who forced himself on a 28-year-old woman when she was standing on the corner of Terminus St at Petersham about 1.30am on Thursday.

Police said he tried to sexually assault the woman but she pushed him away and both fled in opposite directions.

The man, aged in his 20s, drove past the woman on Crystal St soon after and tried to speak to her before driving off.