Fijian international Esala Masi scored the only goal of the game for Newcastle United at South Melbourne's Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday. His volley from the edge of the box midway through the second half gave United the lead they never surrendered, and allowed them to retain second spot on the ladder.
"I'd be lying if I said I felt we'd be sitting second at this stage," said United coach Ian Crook after the game. "But we've got an honest group of boys that - because we've gone on this run - don't know how to lose a game."
" (But) if ever there was a game that looked nil-nil, that was it for me," Crook said. "I didn't think either team got to grips with the conditions. It was a lot windier down at pitch level than most people realise."
While most people's football attention was being drawn to the Montevideo second-leg play-off World Cup Qualifier to be played only hours later, Masi's goal had echoes of Australia's earlier path on that journey.
Earlier this year, Masi had been bettered by Michael Petkovic when they last opposed each other whilst on international duty for their respective countries in an Oceania World Cup qualifier in Coffs Harbour.
They were to be involved in this game's critical moment, but without the global attention of their earlier battle.
Robbie Middleby had been involved in an epic game-long struggle with South Melbourne youngster Ray Sekulovski on the wing, and honours had been shared. Middleby had been seeking just one occasion where he could wriggle free. With a little over a quarter-hour remaining, he found that moment, and galloped down the right. Masi had been alert to the possibilities and made himself available for the cross at the edge of the area. When it came in, he had ample time to set up his volley low under Petkovic.
"I knew if I put it (at chest-height) he would get it," Masi told me after the game. "So I put it low. He's a good goalkeeper, and I was disappointed I didn't score (against him) in Coffs Harbour."
It was always likely that the game would be settled by a solitary goal. Both teams had played a busy and energetic game, where dominance in midfield was the aim. Matthew Bingley was often the conduit for Newcastle's traffic, as was Steve Panopoulos for South.
Joel Griffiths sought to take advantage of his youth and speed against South Melbourne's veteran defender Mehmet Durakovic, but Durakovic's positional sense and experience resulted in that contest being an honourable draw.
Griffiths had a chance from close-in midway through the first half, but Panopoulos managed a last-ditch block.
South Melbourne's best chance of the first-half came when Joe Bacak robbed Andy Roberts as Roberts made a forward foray, opening up a channel for Bacak to exploit. Bacak's subsequent shot was blocked by United goalkeeper Daniel Beltrame and beaten away for a corner. As the corner was swung in, Robert Liparotti - who otherwise had a quiet but serviceable game - put it narrowly wide.
And where Chris Zoricich had been a stalwart at the back for United, Patrick Kisnorbo had once again belied his age and shown abilities in South's back-line that will surely call him away to bigger things in the coming years.
For a few of the second half's opening minutes, South Melbourne upped the pressure. Peter Buljan turned sharply at the bye-line but Chris Zoricich - who had a stand-out game for Newcastle - deflected it over the bar.
Scott Baillie was compelled to do likewise under intense pressure from Peter Buljan after Steve Iosifidis sent in a dangerous cross that brought to mind the service that had been so regularly supplied in recent years by the now-departed Goran Lozanovski.
And Newcastle's best moment prior to the goal came from a sweeping movement requiring a sharp Petkovic save from Joseph Schirripa drive. Middleby had worked the ball down the right, and then Griffiths and Masi sent it across to the left in a move more familiar to the followers of the Wallabies for its across-field speed and precision.
Neither goalkeeper however was greatly involved in the action, as the teams preferred to search for the space from midfield, often turning over the ball as the space ran out, or the conditions led to a slight mis-control.
The conditions and the teams' approaches to the game meant that Masi's single goal was likely to be the game-winner.
"I was disappointed with the goal," said South Melbourne coach Eddie Krncevic. "There was some ball-watching there."
"Once again, we didn't look like scoring, but full credit to Newcastle," Krncevic said. "A point would have been a fair result, but it wasn't to be, but there's no point dwelling on what might have been - we just need to work hard."
Crook concurred about the South Melbourne's lapse of concentration for the goal. "I can understand what Eddie (said) about ball-watching - I thought it was probably the only time when we put some sort of quality together."
Fausto De Amicis and Krncevic seemed to have settled their differences from last week, when De Amicis was reported to have withdrawn from the team upon being passed over for the captaincy. De Amicis played in the Youth team and - according to Krncevic - is in contention for selection next week.