Two goals in four minutes have lifted the Brisbane Strikers to a rousing 3-0 win over National Soccer League powerhouse Olympic Sharks at Ballymore.

A header by defender Steve Laybutt in the 51st minute and a clinical finish by Joshua Rose in the 54th minute handed the home side a match winning 2-0 advantage that broke the Sharks' spirit.

The match was locked a nil-all at the break and the Strikers were lucky to be on level terms with the former competition leaders after Olympic squandered a number of genuine goal scoring opportunities in the opening 40 minutes.

The trio of Greg Owens, Tom Pondeljak and Ante Milicic all could have put Olympic into the lead but failed to convert their chances.

The Strikers started the match well, but the class of Olympic began to shine through and the visitors created a host of opportunities.

The second stanza began in much the same fashion, but this time Brisbane managed to maintain its superiority by playing confident, entertaining yet uncompromising football.

The Strikers stunned the Sharks when Laybutt latched onto a David Pilic cross to head the ball past former Brisbane goalkeeper Clint Bolton at the far post.

The dust had barely settled when only a few minutes later Brazilian Fernando Rech provided a perfect flick-on for Rose, who easily beat Bolton at close range.

The match was all but over when Anthony Roche scored in the 74th minute for the home side after capitalising on a superbly played through ball.

The 3-0 triumph ensured Brisbane's undefeated streak extended to seven matches and the Strikers have now climbed to seventh on the NSL ladder.

Brisbane is on the same competition points as fifth placed Adelaide City and is only outside the elite top six on goal difference.

The Strikers' form is even more noteworthy given Brisbane was last on the NSL ladder after ten weeks of the competition.

The Strikers could have made Olympic's trip north even less memorable with Peter Grierson hitting the post late in the match - one of a number of scoring chances the Strikers failed to convert in the dying stages.

The result continued Olympic's tale of woe in Brisbane, having failed to break their duck at Ballymore.

Olympic's second half plight was highlighted when coach Gary Phillips left his seat in the grand stand and made his way onto the sideline.

Olympic led the competition going into round 17 but the loss ensures Perth Glory is now in top spot.

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