A clever ball down the wing sent City into a dangerous attack, Salvatore tapped in the goal after the pass into the box beat the keeper in a moment coach Danny Gnjidic described as “fitting”.

It was Brunswick’s first loss in four matches as it, like Ballarat, finds form through the middle stages of the season.

The victory sees Ballarat leapfrog Brunswick and move into fifth position as it continues its rise up the table.

Ballarat continues to show it is one of the form teams of the competition, and is particularly dangerous at Morshead Park – gaining points in five of its last seven matches has resulted in a steady rise up the ladder.

Gnjidic said the group simply had to continue to do what has worked for it over the past two months.

“It was really a continuation of the last few weeks,” Gnjidic said.

“To compete at this level and win games and show what you’re capable of and some of that’s coming to fruition now.

“The pleasing thing was good football was played when it needed to be played and we knuckled down and did the hard stuff.

“We identified a couple of there weaknesses that we tried to exploit...it was a good performance and a well-earned result.

“It’s more about continuing to do what we’re doing, it’s been serving us well.”

Gnjidic said while it was a low-scoring match, there was no thought of applying defensive tactics to protect the slender lead, preferring to search for the final blow.

While it could not find the back of the net in the second half, plenty of chances were created and plenty averted as it registered its eighth clean sheet of the season.

“There was never a sense of holding on, because 1-0 isn’t really a lead you want to close shop on – and we’re not that sort of team.”

As the rain tumbled throughout the day it made for a “super quick” pitch which Gnjidic felt suited Ballarat’s fast-paced style of game.

“It suits the way we wanted to play, it didn’t really change anything, if anything it probably enhanced the quality of the game and the way we wanted to play.”