Nine goals. A one-point gap. The Panthers are coming for top spot

Monaro Panthers are refusing to loosen their grip on Canberra Croatia in the NPL Capital Football title race after producing a devastating 9-0 win over Brindabella Blues.

Fernando Urzua led the demolition with a hat-trick as the second-placed Panthers recorded a sixth straight victory and continued their red-hot run of form.

Monaro led 2-0 at half-time before exploding after the break, scoring seven times in the second half to complete the biggest victory of Round 16.

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Shota Sagara added a late brace, while Jonathan Olaoye, Christian Kreskas, Daniel Subasic and Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu were also on target in the rout.

The Panthers have now scored a staggering 29 goals amid their six-game winning streak.

Their emphatic result kept the pressure firmly on Canberra Croatia, who remain one point clear at the summit following a 3-0 win over Canberra Olympic.

Thomas James, Mikey Katsoulis and Eunpyo Lee scored for the league leaders as they responded to last week's defeat to Tuggeranong United and retained control of the Premiership race.

Third-placed Tigers FC also stayed in touch after defeating Canberra White Eagles 2-0, with Golden Boot leader Aidan Milicevic adding another goal to his impressive season.

Elsewhere, Canberra Juventus edged Belconnen United 1-0 to claim all three points.