In a match played behind closed doors at Olympic Park, Ashley Stott's goal on 30 minutes was enough for Thunder to hold off Victory.

Melbourne named a number of first-string players in the starting line-up, along with triallists Ben Harrison from Dandenong Thunder and James Chronopoulos from Marconi Stallions.

Carlos Hernandez, Jean-Carlos Solorzano, Isaka Cernak, Tando Velaphi and Marco Rojas were all notable exclusions from the squad, with Rojas in Colombia representing New Zealand at the U20 World Cup.

The two sides started the contest slowly, with neither able to keep hold of possession. The first chance of the match fell to Thunder striker Ashley Stott on 15 minutes after he was played through by Liam Kearney, but he hit his shot straight at trialling goalkeeper James Chronopoulos.

Danny Allsopp registered Victory's first shot of the match on 23 minutes when he received the ball from Billy Celeski on the edge of the area but his tame shot was easily dealt with by Dandenong custodian Stuart Webster.

Liam Kearney drew a foul from Matthew Kemp on the half-hour mark with Feston Azizi whipping in a dangerous free-kick which came off the crossbar and after a scramble in the box Ashley Stott popped up to tap the ball home from close range.

Victory had a number of chances before the break but Billy Celeski, Archie Thompson and Tom Pondeljak were all unable to test Webster with their efforts.

Billy Celeski picked up a slight knock towards the end of the first-half and was replaced by Leigh Broxham. At half-time Victory made two substitutions with Harrison and Chronopoulos coming off for Matthew Foschini and another triallist Nathan Denham, from Sutherland Sharks, respectively.

Melbourne looked much sharper in the second period and almost took the lead in a frantic two minutes. First Danny Allsopp had a shot cleared off the line by Shane Rexhepi before Adrian Leijer had a headed effort which was heading for the top corner brilliantly saved by Webster with Archie Thompson then smashing a shot off the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.

Dandenong could consider themselves very lucky not to have conceded and were relieved once again shortly afterwards when Danny Allsopp had a goal ruled out for offside.

Just a minute later Matthew Kemp made a darting run through the centre and was brought down in the box by Steven Gray with the referee pointing straight to the spot. Grant Brebner stood up to take the spot-kick but his shot was pushed away by Webster.

Victory searched for a late equalizer but it wasn't to be their day with Dandenong Thunder holding out for the 1-0 win, condemning Melbourne to their second loss this pre-season.