By Shaun Moran (@MoranShaun)

Port Melbourne left it late to secure a vital 1-0 win against cellar dwellers Goulburn Valley Suns at the JL Murphy Reserve on Saturday afternoon. 

Both teams were coming off hidings the week before and needed three points in order to keep their hopes of avoiding relegation alive.

The winner came late on thanks to substitute Luka Prelevic who had just come on off the bench to strike the decisive goal.

It all began from a Lambros Honos diagonal pass, which bisected the GVS backline. 

Kamal Ibrahim then sped towards goal and cut a ball across to the tall youngster who slammed the ball home with his first and the most important touch of the game.

Port Melbourne had netted much earlier in the game only for the goal to be ruled out for offside, much to the frustration of home fans in what was a timid first half showing.

James Riccobene was causing a number of problems from his set pieces and his well-directed deliveries threatened to unlock the GVS defence. 

Nicky McNamara and Phillip Riccobene met a free kick and corner each but both attempts were too high to test Phil Petrovski. 

Arguably the greatest opportunity of the match prior to the opener fell to Alexander Antonescu. 

His left foot touch inside the area was too heavy and instead of shooting, he opted to pass the ball across goal to no avail. 

Naum Sekulovski lashed a free kick that failed to trouble Stephan Gal with only minutes to play as the Suns attempted to find their much sought-after equaliser. 

Cody Sellwood’s attempt in the dying seconds wasn’t good enough to pierce Port’s goal as the hosts hung on for a crucial win. 

The Shark’s coach, Eric Vassiliadis was relieved to have picked up a valuable three points after a tough couple of months.

“There’s relief but it is a little bit of reward for what we’ve done,” Vassiliadis said.

“We changed it a little bit and played a little bit smarter and practical. We look forward as we have a couple of tough games coming up.”

New GVS boss David Davkovski insisted that his side has not given up in their quest to stay up in the NPL next season.

“I wouldn’t take the job unless I’m going to go and get points,” Davdovski said.

“I’m going to do it for our people in Shepparton and it’s as simple as that. There’s no way I’m going to try and park the bus.”

His team returns home to take on Green Gully on Saturday night, while Heidelberg United awaits Port Melbourne at Olympic Village on Sunday afternoon. 

MATCH DETAILS

Port Melbourne 1 (Prelevic 75’), defeated Goulburn Valley Suns 0 at JL Murphy Reserve. [HT: 0-0]

Port Melbourne: 1. Stjepan GAL, 6. Christopher GROSSMAN, 18. Milos RIDESIC, 23. Connor REDDAN, 3. James RICCOBENE, 15. Nicky McNAMARA, 5. Nick TZOULIS, 8. Zois GALANOPOULOS (11. Nicholas KROUSORATIS 45’), 17. Phillip RICCOBENE, 26. Lambros HONOS, 27. Andrew MILICEVIC (10. Luka PRELEVIC 75’), 9. Alexander ANTONESCU (14. Kamal IBRAHIM 64’).

Unused subs: 1. Adam HREHORESIN (GK), 4. Timothy PALON.

Yellow Cards: Ibrahim (90’+4)

Red Cards: Nil

Goulburn Valley Suns: 3. Naum SEKULOVSKI, 4. Simon COLOSIMO, 2. Cody SELLWOOD, 8. Daniel CHAABANI, 16. Frank LAGANA, 9. Craig CARLEY, 1. Phil PETROVSKI, 10. Brian VANEGA (14. Rossi LAGANA 79’), 17. Zachary FOXHOVEN (15. Antonio BARBARO 63’), 19. Hernan ESPINDOLA, 11. Adrian VUNIQI.

Unused subs: 5. Thomas LANGMAN, 13. Zachary PARASKEVAS, 18. Alfonso CARDINALE.

Yellow Cards: Sekulovski (50’)

Red cards:  Nil