While the three points and clean sheet were welcome, the Magpies laboured to claim the win against a City side which was reduced to 10-men in the 25^th minute when goalkeeper Shayne Van As was red carded for handling the ball outside his area.

Maitland had the best of the chances but could not covert their opportunities.

"We had one ball hit the crossbar and blew a couple of one-on-one opportunities," Magpies coach Mick Bolch said.

The Magpies eventually broke the deadlock in the 54^th minute through Jimmy Thompson who pounced on a ball played through by Tyrell Paulson to beat the goal keeper.

Numbers were squared when Magpies midfielder Chris Fayers received his second yellow in the 71^st and was sent from the field.

However, there were no defensive lapses by the Magpies who put in their best defensive effort for several weeks.

Bolch said it was an improved game at the back and particularly pleasing to keep a clean sheet again.

However, he said the Magpies still needed to work on their delivery particularly in the front third.

"It was good to keep a clean sheet again after some costly lapses in recent games," Bolch said of the win which keeps Maitland in third place on the ladder with 22 points.

"However, we are still very indecisive with the ball and our passing. Several times in promising positions we over possessed the ball.

"During our winning streak at the start of the year our passes were sticking and we making the right decisions on whether to pass or take a shot.

"It's all about confidence and you are going to have some highs and lows with a young team.

"The good thing is that we know what works and I believe it is only a matter of time before we get back to that."

There will be no better time than next Sunday's clash at home against fifth-placed Newcastle City.

The Weston Bears overcame an early scare to defeat bottom of the table Valentine 2-1 with a 93^rd minute penalty at Rockwell Automation Park on Saturday.

The win lifts the Bears to sixth on the ladder, four points outside the top four.

Valentine opened the scoring in the seventh minute. but Nathan Lozada equalised for the Bears in the 35^th minute.

It appeared as it the game was heading for a draw until the third minute of extra time when the Bears were handed a penalty.

Skipper Nathan Morris successfully converted to earn a valuable three points to keep Weston in the mix for finals.

Weston will be looking for back-to-back victories when they take on Adamstown Rosebud at Adamstown on Saturday.