Lalor United survived 30 minutes with only 10 men to cause an upset against Williamstown in FFV state league 3 north-west on Saturday.
Scores were level at half-time, with United wasting a couple of opportunities to open up the scoring in the first half.
Lupce Koceski scored the only goal of the match, his second of the season, in the second half to earn United all three points.
With a player sent off, United was left a man down but battled on to win its third game for the season.
United’s Emil Atansov said the win was a turning point for the club as it aims to climb higher than its sixth place on the ladder. Last season they finished fifth.
“We have a lot of new players and they have taken time to gel,” Atansov said.
“Half the squad is new to the club. They knew each other outside the club but had never played together.
“It was a very good win, especially as Williamstown were second on the ladder.”
He said the club wasn’t looking to add any more players during the transfer period.
United has taken points in its past four games and now has a 3-4-2 record.
But it doesn’t get any easier for United, facing top-of-the-table Upfield this weekend.
“If we can beat them it will push us up the ladder,” Atansov said.
“We are only six points behind them.
“We have the squad which can take us to the next division, which needs a top-two finish at the end of the season.”
Upfield went down 3-2 against Darebin United last weekend and has now lost two out of the past three matches.
Whittlesea United remains in touch with the contenders with a 2-1 win over Altona City and now sits eighth on the ladder.
In state league 4 north, Bundoora United sits two points behind West Preston in second place after a 2-0 win against Meadow Park.
Greenvale United lost 1-0 to Strathmore, while the Northern Falcons drew 2-2 with Newmarket Phoenix.
Plenty Valley Lions played Fawkner on Monday night, after Star Weekly went to press.
