However, the contest ended in controversial circumstances with Wangaratta captain Stoycho Ivanov sent from the field, sparking an all-in brawl.

Once Ivanov was removed from the situation, he was seen damaging the visitors change rooms, where he broke a window.

Invanov’s case will be reviewed by the AWFA tribunal during the week, where a punishment will be determined.

The incident took some of the shine off what was an enthralling derby.

Adam Burchell departed the Devils for the Goulburn Valley Suns in style with a double in the victory.

Burchell was brought down in the penalty box 10 minutes in and tucked away the spot kick to hand Wangaratta an early 1-0 lead.

The Savoys were quick to reply through Jesse Stephens, who was set up by a pinpoint cross from Englishman Tom Youngs in the 16^th minute.

But less than 10 minutes later, Youngs was helped from the field nursing his right arm, dealing the hosts a major blow for the remainder of the contest.

Youngs was replaced by former Wangaratta defender Angus Kelly, who recently crossed to Myrtleford.

The sides couldn’t be separated at the break, but Burchell doubled his tally with a classy strike into the bottom left corner in the 60^th minute.

Myrtleford continued to dominate possession and pushed for an equaliser, but ultimately lacked the quality to finish off their work.

Wangaratta’s defence stood tall and was moments away from the final whistle when Ivanov was shown a second yellow card for time wasting and sent off.

The game reached boiling point as tensions ran high and all players became involved in a brawl.

Myrtleford was awarded a free kick and threw everyone forward in a bid to snatch a draw at the death, but it wasn’t to be.

Wangaratta coach Mario Antonello admitted the intensity is what has come to be expected from a derby.

“I reckon the last five minutes went about five minutes too long,” Antonello said.

He added that the Devils had been nursing Burchell with a groin strain and weren’t sure he was going to play right up until kick-off.

“We were going to start him on the bench five minutes before kick-off, but he said he wanted to give it one red-hot go,” Antonello said.

Myrtleford coach Jayden Vescio was unimpressed with the way the end of the derby unfolded.

“I’ve got pretty good trust in my players not to do anything stupid, but what happened after the game is a bit of disgrace,” Vescio said.

“There’s a window smashed and blood everywhere, which is not a very good environment with kids around.”

Vescio admitted his side lacked its usual polish, particularly around goal, but couldn’t take anything away from Wangaratta and the performance of Burchell.

“I wish Burchy all the best, he needed to make that step up and I’m glad he’s gone to GV Suns,” he added.

The senior men’s ladder after round nine is: Myrtleford 24, Wangaratta 24, Melrose 21, Boomers 18, Albury United 16, Cobram 15, Twin City 13, Albury City 12, Albury Hotspurs 12, Wodonga Diamonds 4, St Pats 1.