The opening half was typically physical but, in a change from recent clashes, both sides remained defensively accountable, resulting in a nil-all scoreline at half-time.

Play opened up after the break and it was Diamonds striker Jarrod Herzina, back in the side after spending last weekend overseas, who put the visitors in front.

Twin City equalised 10 minutes later but Herzina’s boot again proved decisive late in the half when he sent the winner home.

Diamonds captain Brett Delphin passed a pre-game fitness test on his ankle but the Diamonds were without Paul Brunec and Kevin Pretty.

“It was a very, very tough win,” Diamonds coach Lee Botting said after the game.

“I thought our defence set the win up for us. Tiago Neves and Alex Matthews were both standouts in defence.”

Diamonds remain one-point adrift of the second-placed SS & A Boomers, who made a much-needed return to form with a 3-0 win over Lavington.

In other matches, an own-goal cost the Wodonga Panthers their first point of the season, going down to Albury Hotspurs 2-1.

St Patrick’s moved four points clear inside the top eight with a 3-1 win over Wangaratta.