The McDonald’s Reds finally found their groove to run out 4-1 victors in the regional derby at Morshead Park on Friday night.

It was a welcome result for the Reds’ faithful, who watched their club fail to find the back of the net over the first three NPLV1 rounds.

Ballarat broke its curse early, with Daniel Firth putting the home side 1-0 up inside the first three minutes.

Simon Murphy seemingly scored the Reds’ second at the 20-minute mark, only to be thwarted by a questionable off-side call.

But Murphy found the back of the net just minutes later when he slotted the ball past Bendigo’s Italian keeper Gianmarco D’Oria from the tight angle.

Michael Trigger came through for a late tap-in to make absolutely sure of the result, with both Red Devils laying claims to the goal.

The Red Devils took a 2-0 advantage into the break after a dominant first half, only for Bendigo to get back momentum with a goal of its own in the opening moments.

Liam Harding was subbed on for captain Shaun Romein at the 58-minute mark, while a ginger Callum Ferguson made way for Daniel Tinker several minutes later.

Dom Swinton, who was clearly best-afield after the first half, was subbed off for Pat Karras at the 70-minute mark as the visitors began to take advantage of the Red Devils’ personnel changes.

Bendigo peppered the goals midway through the half, but was unable to generate any real opportunities against the disciplined Reds defence.

Trigger and Nelson Salvatore combined to restore Ballarat’s buffer, with the latter finding the back of an open net after getting on the end of Trigger’s clever cross.

Harding sent a powerful strike inches over the crossbar moments later, before Murphy broke through again from a Salvatore pass at the 77-minute mark.

Ballarat’s next match is at home against Melbourne Victory on Saturday, March 28.

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au