By Jason Turner (@jaseangelo)

Port Melbourne has snapped its two-game losing streak after snatching a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Northcote City on Sunday afternoon.

After Northcote’s Kristian Konstantinidis deservedly cancelled out Kevin Braniff’s first-half penalty, James Kalifatidis edged Northcote in front early in the second period.

Coming off three consecutive wins, Northcote was overrun against the run of play when Nicholas Krousouratis equalised on 69 minutes and then a slice of luck for Lambros Honos secured an unlikely victory for the Sharks.

In horrible and wintry conditions, a brave crowd was rewarded with an entertaining and attack-minded contest from the outset with the in-form Northcote settling the better.

Despite the early pressure from Goran Lozanovski’s side, Port was given a gift when a clumsy and unnecessary clip from Adrian Chiappetta on Honos just inside the box led to the first clear chance for either side.

Braniff stepped up to the spot and despatched his penalty kick, despite Chris Theodoridis getting a hand to it.

With both sides looking to attack, the championship-winning class of Northcote and the strength and height of Trent Rixon finally shone through, with the poacher connecting with a Liam Wooding corner to set up Konstantinidis.

For all the attacking pressure from Northcote, the pitch conditions did not lead to ideal conditions for a short passing style, forcing both outfits to go longer to big target men.

Rixon proved a constant menace for Port's defence and he was central in his side's next goal, rising high to meet Konstantinidis cross and looping his header goal bound with his strike partner Kalifatidis getting the final touch.

After grabbing the lead, it only seemed a matter of time before Northcote would extend its lead and secure the points, but Port was desperate to stay in the contest.

Northcote’s momentum started to wane and Port punished it when substitute Luka Prelevic knocked the ball down to Kamal Ibrahim, whose shot was parried straight to a grateful Krousouratis to nab the equaliser.

Port always had enough composure to get the ball forward and give its under-fire defence some respite and it was on the counter when Honos had his hopeful long-range shot deflected past and unfortunate Theodoridis and into the back of the net.

The visitors managed to hold out in the end, despite a desperate Northcote trying to salvage something from a match it probably deserved more from.

Northcote coach Goran Lozanovski put the loss down to bad luck.

"We should have at least got a point out of that. But in these sort of conditions you've got to ride out your luck a little bit," Lozanovski said.

"I think we created enough to finish the game off and we didn't do that and it kept them in the game."

Port Melbourne coach Eric Vassiliadis praised his side for avenging two consecutive defeats.

"We've worked hard and we haven't had our run of luck and got a little bit today," Vassiliadis said.

Vassiliadis said the result would give his young side a much needed confidence boost.

"You can see with the quality of their bench that they're a tremendous squad. We have a young team in transition so these wins are a good building block,” he said.

Before next weekend's match against Dandenong Thunder, Northcote has a Dockerty Cup encounter with Elwood City, while Port will make the trip to Ballarat to face the Red Devils.

Match Details

Northcote City 2 (Kristian Konstantinidis 27’, James Kalifatidis 60’) defeated by Port Melbourne 3 (Kevin Braniff 17’ pen., Nicholas Krousouratis 69’, Lambros Honos 83’) at John Cain Memorial Reserve [HT: 1-1]

Northcote City: Chris Theodoridis, Adrian Chiappetta, Jonathan Bounas (Marino Gasparis 68’), James Kalifatidis, Tremayne Sadler, Kristian Konstantinidis, Trent Rixon, Michael Catalano (Jonathan Munoz 74’), Liam Wooding, Greg Lombardo, Ersin Kaya (Wade Dekker 58’).

Unused Substitutes: Luke Gavalas, Phillip Petreski.

Yellow Cards: Kaya 32’, Bounas 41’, Wooding 58’, Konstantinidis 65’

Red Cards: Nil

Port Melbourne: Adam Hrehoresin, Stefan Nigro, Amadu Koroma, Chris Grossman, James Riccobene, Nick Tzoulis, Andrew Milicevic (Luka Prelevic 66’), Lambros Honos, Kevin Braniff, Kamal Ibrahim (Lisandro Paz 80’), Nick Krousouratis.

Unused Substitutes: John Lazaridis, Connor Redden, Alexander Connell

Yellow Cards: Braniff 19’

Red Cards: Nil

Image credit: Graeme Furlong