Azzurri rose to 15 points with the round 15 win and sit four points behind fifth-placed Newcastle Olympic with a chance to leapfrog them in the next fortnight. Charlestown play Olympic, who lost 2-1 to leaders Lambton Jaffas on Saturday, in a catch-up match and again the following round.

"Everyone must think we're mental, but as a group we still think we can make the finals, and this was key today," Azzurri coach Graham Law said.

"Results needed to go our way as well, and they did.

"We go back to back with fifth place now and we know if we beat Olympic home and away, we're in fifth spot."

Law said his side were outstanding on Sunday, especially after the loss of Kev Davison (broken foot) and Aaron Oppedisano (family reasons) during the week.

Smith put Charlestown up in the second minute when he scored from the tightest of angles. John Majurovski equalised in the 28th minute with a reflex touch off a deflected shot.

Smith then tapped in off a blocked shot in the 67th and from a cross from Regan Lundy in the 76th to put Azzurri in control. Dom Bizzarri put the result beyond doubt in the 80th. The loss left Lakes eighth on 11 points.

Also on Sunday, Maitland rose to second place (31 points) with a 3-1 victory over bottom side Valentine (three points) at Cahill Oval.

Valentine led in the 17^th minute when Amanuel Ayelew converted from the spot following a foul on player-coach Adam Hughes.

Maitland drew level in the 32^nd minute when James Thompson's corner kick was bundled over in a goal-line scrap.

The Magpies were in front on 43 minutes when Ty Cousins hit a volleyed strike after a ball across from Carl Thornton at a corner. Cousins turned provider in the 73^rd minute for Ryan Clarke to finish at the far post.

On Saturday, Jaffas (34) strengthened their hold on top spot as Broadmeadow (30) dropped to third with a 1-1 draw against second-last Adamstown.

Tom Curran put Olympic ahead at Darling Street Oval with a strike into the top corner in the 29^th minute. Scott Pettit, though, had Jaffas up at half-time with a 38^th minute free kick that was fumbled over the line and tap in off Ben Hay's ball in the 43^rd.

At Adamstown Oval. Broadmeadow were ahead in the 21^st minute when Jacob Dowse finished after James Virgili's shot was blocked.

Adamstown levelled in the 47^th minute when Zaik Luck ghosted in at the back post to slide in Kaleb Cox's free kick.

In the late game on Saturday, Jeremy Brockie scored a double in a 3-0 win for fourth-placed Edgeworth (27) at sixth-placed Weston (15). Jordan Bower scored his maiden top-grade goal late.

Brockie scored off balls from Will Bower (16^th minute) and Jakob Cresnar (34^th). Bears striker Nathan Lozada was shown a straight red for a clash with Pat Wheeler in the 86th.