Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City went into the game with a cloud of uncertainty as to whether the season would continue after the final whistle was blown.
With fans locked out from the stadium, the soundtrack of the match were the shouts of players and the coaching staff.
Melbourne City had the lion's share of possession and field position, but the most incisive chances fell to Newcastle, with Roy O'Donovan sending a spectacular bicycle-kick just over the bar in the first major chance of the match.
Newcastle continued to break dangerously, and were rewarded for their efforts as a tantalising Dimi Petratos ball allowed Nick Fitzgerald to cut inside a pair of City defenders and then curl a shot into the far side of the net.
Fitzgerald's opener came just before half-time and sent the hosts in the happier of the two sides, which was clear when they started the second half by continuously pressing the visiting side.
Coming into the final quarter of the game, Melbourne City were able to equalise with Florin Berenguer heading home from a cross.
Steven Ugarkovic stepped up to the mark with the winner in the 78th minute, with his long drive catching City goalkeeper Tom Glover a bit flat-footed, only able to just get a hand to the fiercely-struck ball on its way into the goal.
Glover redeemed himself somewhat with fine saves in the closing minutes to deny Fitzgerald and Bernie Ibini, but Melbourne City were unable to make the most of a few half chances and Newcastle ended up the victors of an entertaining contest.