Pascoe Vale has jumped into the top six with a 1-0 triumph over an impressive Port Melbourne outfit on Friday night at CB Smith Reserve.

An Adam Nakic volley midway through the first half was enough for a stubborn Paco side to grind out a result in typical fashion.

The first quarter of an hour was an entertaining affair, albeit with a lack of clear cut chances from both sides.

The first real goalscoring opportunity was converted emphatically as Port Melbourne’s Shaun Kelly slammed home a header just on 15 minutes.

But the goal was chalked off due to the linesman’s raised flag.

Seven minutes later, Paco got its goal as a corner found Nakic, whose textbook side foot volley flew into the back of the net, leaving Michael Stark clutching at air.

The remainder of the half exposed Paco’s intent of preserving its one-goal lead, which caused flaring tempers from both sides.

One of which was Port’s Alan Mulcahy who was booked after pushing a Paco player in an altercation on 44 minutes.

Contrary to the first half, Pascoe Vale came out of the blocks with a fairly positive, attacking attitude.

Despite this, their only true chance of the second half came on 60 minutes, again falling to centre half Nakic, whose deflected shot looked as though it might just dip over the top of Stark.

The Port Melbourne custodian however was determined to keep his side in the game, saving the shot with his fingertips.

Port looked to salvaged a point in the 72nd minute as a Kamal Ibrahim ball found the head of Trent Rixon, whose subsequent strike flew just past the right goal post.

The closing stages of the game saw Paco return to slowing down the tempo of the game in order to protect their lead, much to the frustration of Port Melbourne, and in particular Shaun Kelly, who was sent off on 86 minutes for a very late studs up challenge on Paco holding midfielder Mark Pistininzi.

After the match, Paco’s match winner Adam Nakic said he was pleased to have added to his account.

“It’s always nice to score, especially considering my position on the park,” Nakic said.

“But ultimately, (Pascoe Vale) as a whole worked hard to hold on to the lead and we’ve been rewarded for that with a spot in the top six.”

Match Details

Pascoe Vale 1 (Nakic 23’) defeated by Port Melbourne 0 at CB Smith Reserve, Fawkner

Pascoe Vale: 35. Alexander Pavlidis, 2. Adrian Talarico, 4. Adam Nakic (3. Nathen Megic 60’), 8 Joseph Youssef, 9. Jake Nakic (17. Aaron Turner 66’), 10. Davey Van’t Schip, 13. Mathew Lazarides, 15. Mark Pistininzi (7. Luca Santilli 86’), 16. Tomislav Milardovic, 18. Tom Black, 23. Jake Halliday

Unused Subs: 19. Andrew Scicluna

Yellow Cards: Tomislav Milardovic 90+5’

Red Cards: Nil

Port Melbourne: 1. Michael Stark, 19. Shaun Kelly, 4. Alan Mulcahy, 16. Alan Kearney, 7. Adrian Zahra (20. Julius Davies 63’), 14. Kamal Ibrahim, 15. Kritopher Kiousiss, 22. Ryan Opperman (11. Nicholas Krousoratis 70’), 9. Trent Rixon (8. Brent Fisher 81’), 6. Chris Grossman.

Unused Subs: 25. Gal Stjepan, 3. James Riccobene

Yellow Cards: Alan Mulcahy 44’

Red Cards: Shaun Kelly 86’