The Magpies had control of the game for the most part as they edged their way to an 11.18 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory.

Michael Bordignon was the best player on the ground for his defensive match-up on Panthers’ spearhead Adam Prior, limiting him to just three majors.

Lavington were cleaner with the ball early and capitalised on several Wangaratta mistakes to get themselves out to a two-goal lead in the second quarter.

But the Magpies rallied thanks to goals from Michael Newton and Daine Porter to leave the sides level at 5.8 (38) apiece at half-time.

Wangaratta continued to squander opportunities and didn’t get full reward for their third-quarter dominance, finishing with 5.7 to Lavington’s 4.2 to open up an 11-point margin at the final change.

A strong pack mark handed Newton his fourth goal midway through the final term and ultimately sealed the contest, with Prior kicking a consolation in the dying stages.

Wangaratta coach Dean Stone felt his side had control for most of the game and said it was a good reward for the group.

Stone admitted the key match-up on the ground went in favour of the Magpies, including Tom Whittlesea, who stepped up massively in the absence of Josh Porter.

“His leading patterns and what he's been taught in an elite competition in South Australia with Woodville really showed,” Stone said

“His work rate was unbelievable, he would have taken 14 or 15 marks.”

Newton finished the game with four goals and eight behinds and could have put the game to bed a lot earlier.

“Thankfully they didn't kick that great either and we were able to hang in there and stay in the game,” Stone said.

“I thought if we could hang in long enough and get our nose in front we'd be able to stay there.”

Lavington’s Kris Holman was stretchered from the field in the second quarter after a big collision, which rubbed salt into the wounds of what was a disappointing day for the Panthers.

“We hung in there, but missed a few of our basic key performance areas, particularly our tackling,” Lavington coach James Saker said.

“They were better on the turnover than us as well, we don’t have any excuses, they were too good.”

Wangaratta hits the road again to face Wodonga next weekend, while Lavington will be keen to bounce back against North Albury.