By Jordan Lim (@jordanlim24)

Dandenong Thunder rounded off its season in the best possible fashion, grafting out a 1-0 win against Heidelberg United - its first top-four scalp of the season - at Olympic Village.

While the late drama at Port Melbourne will go down as the big story of the round, Thunder also left it late to pinch the points as centre-back Sakhi Zada Faisal pushed forward to win it with the final kick of the game.

The goal was a beauty as well, as the ball almost burst the back of the net from distance, with the defender rightly wheeling away in celebration.

To get to that goal however, the 22 on field had tested the collective resolves of the crowd as the two sides dished out a bland display for 89 minutes.

Faisal - sporting a head bandage courtesy of an errant elbow in the opening moments – got the ball rolling with a raking pass from the left of defence, which youngster Rees Duncan latched onto.

The forward couldn’t do enough to beat Heidelberg custodian Griffin McMaster, who held comfortable to spare the blushes of his defence who were caught on the back foot.

Given a start next to Daniel Heffernan up top – forcing Kaine Sheppard wider left – James Goulopolos could have won a penalty, but his appeal for a shove in the 18th minute went unheeded by the match official.

Matt Millar provided a strong option up top for Dandenong and his teammates did their best to pick out the in-form youngster.

When his toe poke forced McMaster into a fingertip save, it was warning signs for a Heidelberg defence who were missing captain Luke Byles.

They tightened up on the Melbourne City product, forcing him to be a little more creative in his attempts to break the deadlock.

His near-post flick from a corner proved to be one of the away side’s best chances of the half, but the attempt was eventually cleared off the line.

Similarly, Goulopoulos’ effort at the near post proved to be the Berger’s best chance, but it was left begging as the forward put his strike wide of the post.

The low-key first half was matched by an insipid second as both sides failed to create quality chances in the dead rubber.

A pair of headers from Kosta Kanakaris and Les Doumbalis amounted to nothing, with the former forcing a sharp save from Thunder’s Zain Zeneli in goals.

Kanakaris was in the thick of things again, forcing Zeneli this time to keep out a stinging drive from 25 yards.

With the game nearing its conclusion, big man Dan Heffernan took the onus upon himself to create an opening two minutes from time.

His close control saw him make space inside the box for a curling effort that was blocked on its way out for a corner.

Faisal’s winner soon after had the vocal Thunder crowd on their feet as the away side took the three points.

Victorious coach Dean Hennessey was stoked to have capped off the season with three points against top-four opposition.

“I’m so pleased for the players, we set a goal today – because really there was nothing to play for both teams - which was to beat a top four team,” Hennessey said.

“It was just a fabulous way to cap off what I think is still a pretty good season because we’re such a young side.”

Heidelberg was unavailable for comment.

MATCH DETAILS

Heidelberg United 0 defeated by Dandenong Thunder 1 (Faisal 90’) at Olympic Village [HT 0:0]

Heidelberg United: 1. Griffin MCMASTER (GK), 19. Jakob WILLIAMS, 2. John LAZARIDES, 4. Jordan WILKES, 3. Les DOUMBALIS, 9. Kosta KANAKARIS (5. Dean JANCEVSKI 73’), 10.  Jack PETRIE, 7. James GOULOPOULOS (16. Harris STAMBOULIDIS 46’), 23. Andrew CARTANOS (8. Zane SOLE 62’), 14. Daniel HEFFERNAN, 22. Kaine SHEPPARD

Unused Sub(s): Ryan NORVAL (GK), 11. Mark MCGOUGH

Yellow Card(s): Nil

Red Card(s): Nil

Dandenong Thunder: 21. Zaim ZENELI (GK), 12. Brendan ELMAZOVSKI, 3. Ilir PALI (14. Victor MUEDINI 90+2’), 4. Rama TAVSANCIOGLU,  5. Sakhi Zada FAISAL, 6. Alan MULCAHY, 8. Matthew MILLAR, 9. Feston AZIZI (17. Jarrod BLACKBOURN 84’), 11. Kris KIOUSSIS, 15. Rees DUNCAN (23. Josh CARVANA 59’), 16. Alan KEARNEY

Unused Sub(s): 1. Frazer SIDDALL (GK), 18. Yianni TOUMANIDIS

Yellow Card(s): Mulcahy 31’, Carvana 64’

Red Card(s): Nil

Pictured: Dandenong Thunder's Kris Kioussis in action (Image credit: Heidelberg United FC)