By Rusty Woodger (@rustywoodger)

Northcote City has recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since April after holding on for a 1-0 win over Ballarat Red Devils on Saturday.

Jonathan Munoz’s conversion from the penalty spot on 14 minutes was enough for the visitors to claim all three points in an even contest at Morshead Park Stadium.

The match started in a tense fashion with high boots and strong tackles flying in from both sides.

Northcote had a fantastic opportunity to go ahead early when a cross found its way to Michael Catalano at the back post, but the midfielder was unable to control the ball.

Moments later, controversy erupted when Northcote was awarded a penalty after Philip Petreski’s free-kick slammed into the wall and was deemed to have taken a touch off a Ballarat player’s hand.

Despite protests from the home side, Munoz stepped up to the spot and calmly converted past Aaron Romein.

After going down a goal, it was Ballarat which began to take the game up to its opponents.

Strong offensive pressure from the likes of Nelson Salvatore caused Northcote’s defence to make uncharacteristic errors and allow the Red Devils back into the contest.

On 22 minutes, Ballarat had a fantastic opportunity to draw level when Sean Harding played through in-form striker Deng Aguek.

Aguek – who scored three goals in his previous two outings for the Red Devils – nearly added another to his tally, but his shot was cleared off the line after being superbly blocked by Northcote ‘keeper Chris Theodoridis.

Goran Lozanovski’s men suffered a blow on the half-hour mark when goalscorer Munoz hobbled from the field, but came close to doubling their lead shortly after when Catalano forced a good diving save from Romein.

In the second half, chances for either side were few and far between, but Ballarat would have felt as though it should have drawn level in the 72nd minute when David King blazed over with the goal at his mercy.

At the other end, the game was almost put beyond doubt when Kristian Konstantinidis’ glancing header flew just wide of the post.

But with the clock ticking down, Northcote was more than happy to slow the play, and eventually held on for another crucial away win.

After the match, Ballarat boss James Robinson was critical of the referee’s decision that gifted Northcote its goal.

“I thought the penalty was pretty soft, to be honest,” Robinson said.

“I haven’t seen the footage and the referee is there to do a job, but for me it was like what can you do? It was kicked right at the wall.”

Robinson was, however, satisfied with the way his new-look side has played after bringing in four new players in the transfer window, but lamented the team’s inability to punish its opponents.

“We created chances, especially in the first half, but we weren’t clinical enough,” he said.

“That’s what it comes down to. When you only get a few chances, you need to put them away.”

The loss leaves Ballarat rooted in second-last and needing points at home to Heidelberg next Saturday.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Northcote returns home to face Pascoe Vale after a successful two weeks on the road saw it claim maximum points.

MATCH DETAILS

BALLARAT RED DEVILS 0 defeated by NORTHCOTE CITY 1 (Munoz 14’ pen.) at Morshead Park [HT: 0-1]

BALLARAT RED DEVILS: 1. Aaron ROMEIN (GK), 19. Daniel FIRTH, 18. Daniel O’DONNELL, 25. Steven THOMSON, 15. Sean HARDING, 4. David KING, 6. Liam HARDING, 11. Nelson SALVATORE, 31. Simon MURPHY (16. Charles KING 57’), 5. Paul HARVEY, 17. Deng AGUEK (13. Michael TRIGGER 79’)

UNUSED SUB(S): 40. Jordan FRANKEN, 2. Tristan ROMEIN, 3. Daniel TINKER

YELLOW CARD(S): L. HARDING 69’

RED CARD(S): None

NORTHCOTE CITY: 22. Chris THEODORIDIS (GK), 2. Adrian CHIAPPETTA, 5. Philip PETRESKI, 11. Liam WOODING, 15. Wade DEKKER (9. Trent RIXON 81’), 14. Michael CATALANO (18. Gregorios PITSOKOS 80’), 4. Kristian KONSTANTINIDIS, 16. Greg LOMBARDO, 7. Jonathan MUNOZ (6. Aaron WARD 30’), 8. James KALIFATIDIS, 10. Marino GASPARIS

UNUSED SUB(S): 1. Luke GAVALAS

YELLOW CARD(S): KALIFATIDIS 52’, WOODING 79’

RED CARD(S): None