Shaun McGreevy’s brace helped Croydon to a 2-1 victory over South Adelaide in Round 9 of the South Australia National Premier League at O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex on Saturday.

McGreevy converted a first half penalty, before giving the Kings a two-goal cushion shortly after half-time. Alex Capel offered the Panthers hope, but despite a late flurry they were unable to find an equaliser.

Croydon Coach Mark Brazzale was pleased his team immediately recovered after defeat last week, but was not entirely satisfied.

“It was good to bounce back after the Blue Eagles game. It’s never easy at South Adelaide and we got the result we needed,” said Brazzale.

“We didn’t put our chances away and let them back into the game. It could’ve been over at half-time, in the end we had to grind it out. It was tense in the final 20 minutes.

“Every win is important given how close the League is right now.”

South Adelaide boss Danny Graystone says it was a good learning experience.

“We didn’t play as well as we can. They were good, especially in the first half. I thought we had the better of the second,” said Graystone.

“What’s disappointing is that we are left chasing games late on. Rather than be level and put pressure on pushing for a winner, we are trying to come back.

“We are still coming into the season, the first in the top division. It’s an inexperienced side, while we played a good one in Croydon. We are learning every week.”

Croydon were the dominant side early and in the 23rd minute were presented a golden opportunity to go ahead when Rocky Visconte was tripped inside the penalty area. McGreevy stepped up to put the kick beyond the reach of Marijan Kolar.

Andreas Wiens’ low shot was well saved by the legs of Kolar, as the Kings threatened to double the advantage.

The Panthers best chance came just before the break, as Capel capitalised on an error but lifted his shot just over the top.

When Kolar parried a shot following a Croydon free kick, McGreevy was on hand to tap home the rebound into an empty net in the 53rd minute. His 10th of the season sent McGreevy to the top of the scorers chart.

South clawed back into the contest 20 minutes later, as Capel was through on goal and slotted his shot past Nick Munro.

The hosts came close to equalising less than 60 seconds later as Johnny Moore rattled the crossbar. Croydon survived the late Panthers surge to take all three points.

Elsewhere, White City continued their purple patch with a 3-1 success against 10-man West Torrens Birkalla at Frank Mitchell Park on Thursday.

Andrej Rastovac opened the scoring early, with Birkalla then reduced to 10 men when Adam Mitter was sent off. Chad Bugeja doubled the advantage just after half-time and Miroslav Petkovic made it safe. David Thornton grabbed a consolation.

A second half blitz gave Adelaide City a comprehensive 5-0 victory against bottom club Cumberland United at Adelaide City Park on Saturday.

Nicholas Bucco fired the black and whites into a half-time lead. Second half goals from Anthony Costa, Matthew Mullen, Alex Sunasky and Joel Allwright added to the Foxes misery.

West Adelaide returned to the top of the table with a 2-1 win against Para Hills at Adelaide Shores Football Centre on Saturday.

Nathan Andijanto netted, while Joseph Wright added the second just after the interval. Jacob Williams offered hope, but the Knights could not find the equaliser, as West Adelaide head the table once more.

MetroStars recovered from an early deficit to defeat Raiders 3-1 at the Croatian Sports Centre on Saturday.

Elvis Kamsoba gave the home side the lead in the 11th minute, but Perry Mitris’ brace had MetroStars ahead at half-time. They sealed the win inside the final 10 minutes through David Menechella.

Adelaide Comets have knocked off another leader with a 2-1 result against Adelaide Blue Eagles at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday.

The giant-killers were forced to come from behind after Calvin Mbarga had given Blue Eagles the lead. Yet they relinquished top spot as Samuel Tesfagabr scored twice in the second half to give Comets their sixth successive win.

Western Strikers are back on the winners list, defeating Campbelltown City 2-0 at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday.

Two goals after half-time, from Callum Flanagan and Alemayo Kabede, snapped a three-game League winless run and also sees Strikers climb away from the bottom. Campbelltown drop to sixth.