Old Paradians took another step to securing its spot in the Northern Football League division 2 competition next season.
The Raiders have found their feet in their first season in division 2 after a slow start to the season.
On Saturday, they got their fourth win of the season as they beat Panton Hill.
Coach Ben Turner said they know how important every win is in the run home.
“Four wins is nothing to be disappointed by,” he said. “We’re happy with where things are.
“It is tight at the bottom end of the ladder between the bottom five. Wins are at a premium.
“It will go down to the wire.”
Turner said they really enjoyed the win against Panton Hill on Saturday.
Neither side was able to hit the scoreboard freely with conditions making it challenging, with a heavy wind playing havoc across Melbourne.
After trailing early, the Raiders led at half time after using the wind well.
Panton Hill found a way in the third quarter to regain the lead and put the pressure all back on the Raiders as they led by three goals.
The Raiders responded and were able to come away with the 9.5 (59)-7.4 (46) win.
“It was a funny sort of game,” Turner said. “We didn’t really know how to score at one end.
“It was a game of two halves.
“We kicked against the wind in the first quarter and we were then able to turn the tables.
“We were then staring down the barrel of the three goal deficit. We started the last quarter well and got a margin really early.”
Turner said coming from behind at three quarter time had really shown the growth in the side this season.
Lachie Kerr kicked three goals for the Raiders, while Rufus Jones and Noah Whittle kicked two goals.
Jones and Lewis Franz were named the Raiders best.
The win moves the Raiders up a spot to third bottom.
The Raiders are now a game ahead of Thomastown and two games clear of Watsonia and the relegation zone.
Turner said having finished their match early, the results in the other matches were a topic of interest.
He said they were keen to finish the season strongly.
“We want to continue to work hard and win one of two more games,” he said. “There is a fair bit of work to be where we want to be.”
The Raiders face Lower Plenty this Saturday.
Turner said they would see how far they’ve come after being beaten really comprehensively the first time they played this season.
In other results, Watsonia beat Thomastown in a thriller, 12.7 (79)-11.9 (75).
Whittlesea had a disappointing day against Diamond Creek, losing 11.12 (78)-5.7 (37).
In division 1, South Morang and Bundoora both suffered losses.
Meanwhile in division 3, Laurimar beat Mernda while Epping lost to Kilmore.
