By James Willoughby (@jwilloughby26)

Bentleigh Greens have replaced Melbourne Knights at the top of the NPL Victoria table after Tyson Holmes' brace led them to a 3-0 win at Knights Stadium on Thursday night.

Holmes opened the scoring with an excellent 15-yard volley just before the half-hour mark, and doubled the advantage in the 59th minute.

Fellow Queenslander Chris Lucas then netted from a tight angle just two minutes later to seal Bentleigh's big win.

Andrew Marth's men entered the blockbuster with five wins from as many matches but they were yet to score in the first half of a league fixture this season.

And that trend continued, despite forward Andrew Barisic looking lively in the early stages.

Barisic's best chance came when his sharp shot on the turn in the 15th minute saw Bentleigh goalkeeper Alastair Bray require two attempts to grab the ball.

But it was Bentleigh who took the lead in the 28th minute, as a corner from the right fell to Holmes, who lashed into the back of the net from 15 yards. 

His superb strike buoyed the visitors, who then saw Wayne Wallace and Lucas both fire attempts wide before the break.

Lucas blazed over once play resumed, while Knights goalkeeper Christopher May had to come off his line twice to deny Matt Thurtell.

The warning signs were there for Knights, and the second goal duly came, as Holmes nodded in a cross from the left at the back post.

And less than two minutes after Holmes' second, Lucas got in and behind the Knights defence before producing a smart finish to end the match as a contest.

Knights continued to fight but if any side looked like scoring again, it was the visitors, with Thurtell's pace causing the hosts regular problems.

Barisic shot a late effort wide while Zahra spooned over from six yards following a corner.

But it was not to be for the hosts, as Bentleigh celebrated an excellent victory that sent a statement to its rivals.

MATCH DETAILS

Melbourne Knights 0 defeated by Bentleigh Greens 3 (Holmes 28', 59', Lucas 61') at Knights Stadium

Melbourne Knights: 1. Christopher MAY, 3. Adrian DEL MONACO (11. Anthony COLOSIMO 62'), 4. Ben SUREY (9. Jacob COLOSIMO 81'), 5. Milan BATUR, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 8. James MCGARRY, 15. Alex DAO (12. Ivan GRGIC 66'), 18. Josh BREKALO, 21. Stipo ANDRIJASEVIC, 23. Adrian ZAHRA, 27. Andrew BARISIC

Unused Subs: 25. Hrvoje CAKARLN, 2. Luke JURCIC

Yellow Cards: ZAHRA 8', SUREY 31', MCGARRY 45+2'

Red Cards: Nil

Bentleigh Greens: 21. Alastair BRAY, 2. Thomas MATHEWS, 4. Troy RUTHVEN, 5. Jack WEBSTER, 8. Wayne WALLACE, 9. Christopher LUCAS (11. Dion KIRK 85'), 10. Tyson HOLMES (7. Jamie DE ABREU 70'), 18. Matt THURTELL (6. Liam MCCORMICK 70'), 19. Daniel VISEVIC, 24. Luke PILKINGTON, 36. Steven TOPALOVIC

Unused Subs: 1. Ryan SCOTT, 15. Kobbie BOAHENE

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil