BALLARAT Red Devils have secured one of the biggest wins in the club's history.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The McDonalds Reds poleaxed a shell shocked Bentleigh Greens outfit 4-3 in the fifth round of the FFA Cup at Morshead Park on Wednesday night.
On a night where every single Red Devil played out of their skins, Michael Trigger and Simon Murphy stood shoulders above to score a brace each and send last year's semi-finalist packing.
Bentleigh quailed under a wall of pressure and emotion in the opening half as Ballarat's press forced it to defend from the last line time and again.
Eventually the home side broke through when Dom Swinton intercepted a poorly timed pass and flicked the ball to Michael Trigger, who slotted his first for the opener 15 minutes in.
Thirteen more minutes of unrelenting pressure ensued before Trigger broke through for a carbon copy replica, this time with the intercept and through-ball supplied by Murphy.
The Greens began to work their way into the contest midway through the half, culminating in a goal to Chris Lucas at the 37-minute mark.
Emotions spilled over seconds later when Red Devils keeper Aaron Romein baited the visitors, resulting in two yellow cards.
Murphy replied in style from a corner just two minutes later and the home crowd found their voice once again.
Red Devils coach James Robinson was animated on the sidelines, yelling "no goals" to his charges on the eve of the half.
The Reds heeded his warning, but as has been Ballarat's custom this year, let one slip just two minutes into the second half when Matt Thurtell converted a penalty.
Spurred by the goal, Bentleigh threw everything at Ballarat in the final 30 minutes.
Just when Ballarat looked like tiring under The Greens' siege, the Red Devils found new legs and broke the deadlock with a Simon Murphy blast from inside the box at the 69-minute mark to go 4-2 up.
Bentleigh scored in the 90th minute, but by then it was too late, with Ballarat holding most of the possession and run.
Keeper Aaron Romein was fearless in the final stages, as were defenders David and Charlie King.
Red Devils coach James Robinson described the victory as "monumental" for the currently struggling National Premier League One outfit.
"It's football, it's the FFA Cup, it's what dreams are made of," he said.
"You can't take away from it. It's a great victory."