By Michael Djordjieski

Belconnen United began their tenure under the new coaching team of Ulisses Da Silva and Steve Forshaw with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Tigers FC on Saturday night.

The win bumped United up into the top four ahead of a busy week, while Tigers dropped down the table with a second consecutive loss.

United got off to the perfect start as Marty Raines made a great run in behind the Tigers defence to score past Jakob Cole one-on-one, after a great passage of play four minutes in.

Gaby Wilk’s men responded to going behind by creating some chances of their own, with Finn Jurak keeping them out with a number of outstanding saves.

But Tigers would get theirs eventually, and it was unsurprisingly through Nicolas Villafane whose 16^th minute corner kick evaded everyone and nestled in the far corner.

The Argentine then struck the post with a vicious strike on the turn ahead of half-time, and that proved pivotal as United struck to take back the lead just a minute before the break.

The ball came to Jason Ugrinic on the edge of the area and lashed a guided effort at goal that looked to take a deflection or strike Cole’s hand on the way through, but it ended up in the back of the net and United carried a one-goal lead into the sheds.

The second 45 minutes presented a tighter affair as Belconnen held on to secure a much-need three points and now turn their attention to a crucial FFA Cup clash with league leaders Canberra FC on Thursday night.