Brisbane came into the game without the leagues top scorer Paul Foster, out suspended, while the Falcons were without striker Juan Nilo also suspended and attacking wing-back Robbie Puca, out injured.

The match began at a frantic pace with both sides keen to gain the ascendancy with an early goal. The Falcons settled earliest with the midfield combination of Vargas and Bell making best use of the ball and creating the first opportunity of the game when they linked up with Mandic to put Kakos in behind the Brisbane defence in the 3 minute. Kakos hesitated and his shot was well blocked by the Brisbane defence. From the resulting corner Kakos found himself unmarked at the far post only to see his header well saved by Bolton.

Falcons were well on top in the early stages of the match with Brisbane content to sit back and absorb the pressure applied by the Falcons who had come into the game with a three-pronged attack of Kakos, Mandic and MacNicol. Brisbane managed to reply with long-range efforts by Grierson and Hews, but neither threatened the Falcons goal.

Vargas and Bell again combined well for the Falcons in the 16 minute in one of the best moves of the game. Great link play by the two midfielder’s lead to a teasing cross by Bell that found Mandic unmarked at the far post. His looping header well tipped over by the agile Bolton in the Brisbane goal. Bell was involved again in the 17 minute when he played MacNicol through behind the Brisbane defence. MacNicol choosing to cut inside rather than take the first shooting option, was crowded out and his attempt blocked by the Strikers defence.

The game was becoming a scrappy and physical affair almost boiling over in the 18 minute when Durakovic was fouled off the ball while defending a corner. With Durakovic on the ground trying to regain his breath, an all-in fracas erupted with many players lucky to find themselves still on the park after 4 yellow cards were handed out – the most noteworthy being to Clint Bolton who sprinted 100 metres to get a piece of the action.

After a five-minute delay the players decided to resume playing football with the Falcons putting Brisbane under more pressure. The Strikers were finding it difficult to get into the game, with McLaren working overtime at the back to keep them in the contest. Brisbane clearly were missing Paul Foster and struggling to put any fluent attacking moves together.

The Falcons on the other hand had a great chance again in the 36 minute when a long throw and flick on by Mandic found MacNicol unmarked in the box, his swivel and shot well saved by Bolton. The constant wave of pressure by Falcons paid dividends in the 43 minute when Durakovic played a magnificent ball over the Brisbane defence into the path of MacNicol. MacNicol this time took the first option and looped the ball over an advancing Bolton to put the Falcons ahead. 1-0 Gippsland Falcons.

The second half began with Brisbane making all the running in an attempt to get back into the match. A great run by Chey Hews in the 51 minute set up Srhoj whose shot from the edge of the box deflected off Vargas and on to the upright with Jevdjevic beaten in the Falcons goal.

Brisbane suffered a double blow when young Jade North was dismissed for his second bookable offence in the 60 minute. From the resultant free kick, Andy Vargas curled a superb shot around the Strikers wall into the top right corner. 2-0 Gippsland Falcons.

Brisbane responded well in the 65 minute when a long throw by Meredith found Harris at the back post, but he blasted his shot well over the bar. Meredith was in everything for Brisbane, but the Falcons defensive trio of Fak, Gotis and Durakovic had all the answers.

Kosmina played his hand in the 69 minute with a double substitution and by pushing Stuart McLaren up forward in an attempt to get a result from the game. As is often the case a 10-man side lifts and Brisbane through the efforts of Meredith and McLaren were enjoying their best period of the match with Falcons happy to sit on their lead.

The Falcons had a nervous last 5 minutes with Gotis sent off for his second bookable offence and Brisbane drawing a penalty in the 89 minute after Durakovic handled a cross under pressure. The resulting penalty calmly slotted away by Meredith. 2-1 the final scoreline.

A good home victory for the Falcons that keeps them in touch with the top six and away from the foot of the table where most of the so-called experts expected to see them at this stage of the season. The best player on the night was Andy Vargas in midfield for the Falcons, his ball distribution and ability to bring his team-mates into the game was a delight to watch. His goal was also a classic that will be remembered at Mobil Park for some time. Mehmet Durakovic at the back had yet another solid performance for the Falcons and is one of the prime reasons why the Falcons are so competitive this season. A notable performer was Stuart McLaren who battled his heart out for Brisbane all night, firstly in defence and later in attack.

Jevdjevic – Fak – Gotis (sent off 88min) – Durakovic – Marcina - Vargas – Bell – Hutchinson – Kakos – Mandic (Savage 89min) - MacNicol (Katz 76min) Sub not used: Robertson

Bolton – Gwynne – Stefanutto – Davidson – McLaren – Srhoj (Bell 69min) – Hews (Meredith 57min) – North (sent off 60min) – Dwyer – Grierson (Ditton 69min) – Harris

Yellow Cards: Brisbane Strikers – Dwyer 18 min, Bolton 18 min, North 33 min, McLaren 82 min, Harris 83 min

Gippsland Falcons - Vargas 18 min, Gotis 18 min,

Red Cards: Brisbane Strikers - North 60 min; Gippsland Falcons - Gotis 88 min

Votes: 3 Vargas (Gippsland Falcons); 2 Durakovic (Gippsland Falcons); 1 McLaren (Brisbane Strikers)