Armadale came from behind at half time to beat ECU Joondalup 3-1 at Alfred Skeet Reserve, in week 18 of the All Flags State Premier Division.

David Foster gave the visitors the lead six minutes before the break, but Armadale levelled early in the second half when Mitch Castrilli's shot was deflected past keeper Andy Banks by Scott Blackmore. Further goals from Darren Francis and Dale Wingell wrapped up the points and moved The Reds three points clear of the pack at the bottom of the table, while the defeat for Joondalup leaves them in the relegation dog fight.

"It's been a hard few last games for the lads not getting the right result, but today we showed true grit and deserved the three points," said Armadale midfielder Wilf Dinsdale"

"We went in one down but we had a little luck with the first goal, but after that we dominated and took the other two chances very well."

The home side had gone six games without a win and Coach Lee Bamber made two changes to the side that lost 4-1 to Bayswater City last time out. In came Nathan Costello and Darren Francis, for Josh Maddison and Joey Tavernese. Joondalup Coach Salv Todaro made just the one change from the side that beat Bunbury Forum Force, with Scott Bushby coming in for Danny Allen.

It was vital game at the bottom of the table and it was the home side with the first sight on goal, Rhys Loxley picked out Dinsdale, whose long-range shot was wide of the target.

After that it was the visitors who began to get on top, and eight minutes later Matt Italiano found Shaun Timmins down the left, his first time shot from the edge of the penalty area dipped inches over the bar. Moments later Tommy Jones picked out Foster, who raced clear of Costello, his shot from 12-yards beat Cyril Sharrock, but hit the base of the post and rebounded into the grateful arms of the Armadale custodian.

The home side suffered a blow on 24 minutes when Sean Nicholls left the pitch with an injury; he was replaced by Alan Darlington. But still it was Joondalup who were dominating and John Higgins' free kick was saved by Sharrock, but on 39 minutes their pressure paid off with the lead. A long clearance from Banks was flicked on by John Thornley, and Foster's first time shot flew into the net, giving Sharrock no chance and giving Joondalup the lead at the break.

Whatever Armadale Coach Bamber said at half time worked, as three minutes into the second half they were level. Dinsdale worked the ball wide to find Castrilli; his long-range shot took a wicked deflection off Blackmore, wrong footing Joondalup keeper Banks, who had the initial shot covered.

It was now Armadale who were dictating terms and 10 minutes later they were in front. It was Dinsdale again who was involved, his shot from the edge of the penalty area was blocked by Jones, but the ball fell to Francis who fired home, low into the bottom corner of the net.

Joondalup were struggling to cope with the home side and they should have added a third on 68 minutes. Darlington's corner from the right picked out the unmarked Mark McClements who headed wide from six-yards, and moments later Dinsdale shot wide when well placed.

Joondalup pressed for the equaliser but with Nick Viaggio, McClements and Costello outstanding at the back there was no way through, and with the visitors pushing men forward they were caught out in the 88^th minute, when Armadale added the sealer. Darlington burst into the penalty area down the right; he looked up and crossed perfectly to Wingell at the back post who headed home from eight-yards.

It looked like the game was over, but there was still time for Joondalup and sixty seconds later Higgins's ball into the area found Foster, who mishit his shot with the goal at his mercy, and in stoppage time Thornley's shot was saved by Sharrock, but at the final whistle it was the home supporters celebrating three valuable points.

Armadale 3 (Castrilli 48', Francis 55', Wingell 88')
ECU Joondalup 1 (Foster 39'

Venue: Alfred Skeet Reserve

Attendance: 250

Referee: Mathew Cheeseman

Armadale: GK Cyril SHARROCK, 3 Mark MCCLEMENTS, 4 Wilf DINSDALE, 5 Nick VIAGGIO, 6 Nathan COSTELLO, 7 Ravi KUPPUSAMY (8 Dale WINGELL 77'), 9 Darren FRANCIS (15 Chris HOLLAND 81'), 11 Sean NICHOLS (10 Alan DARLINGTON 24'), 12 Rhys LOXLEY, 13 Sam LOVELESS, 14 Mitch CASTRILLI

Substitutes not used: RGK Jack ADAMS, 17 Blake ADAMS

Yellow Cards - Nil

ECU Joondalup: GK Andy BANKS, 2 Tommy JONES, 4 Dale MCCULLOCH, 5 Scott BUSHBY 6 John HIGGINS, 7 Matt ITALIANO, 8 Shaun TIMMINS (17 Steve SOKOL 84'), 9 Tommy AMPHLETT, 10 John THORNLEY, 12 David FOSTER, 16 Scott BLACKMORE

Substitutes not used: RGK Andy PETTERSON, 14 Billy QUINNCROFT, 15 Mark TEBBUTT

Yellow Cards - Jones 56'