MOOROOLBARK returned to its home ground - after a month away - only to lose a crucial game.

The Victorian provisional league division 1 team was beaten 1-0 by Old Melburnians with Fiachra Dunne converting a penalty in the 10th minute of the match.

A win was vital to both sides in the promotion hunt and the elements made it even more of an intense battle.

The Barkers had a chance nine minutes before the break when Notaro won the ball in the Old Melburnians' half. His through ball was missed by his opponents but Brechan Adams was put off by some staunch defence.

Old Melburnians took their 1-0 break into half time with neither keeper having to do much work in the opening half.

The best chance for the Barkers came in the 53rd minute when Andrew Cowie put a daisy cutter through to Adrian Notaro, but his close-range shot was blocked.

The Barkers were unhappy when Stephen Milne was shown a second yellow after questioning the validity of a tackle. As is often the case, Barkers played better when a man down.

On 72 minutes, a good right-side move involving Topali, Dube and Hardcastle resulted in a dangerous cross being cleared.

Then Cowie crossed and Brechan Adams almost connected with a turn and shoot. But it was not to be Mooroolbark's day.