PERTH Glory collected an unwanted A-League stat on route to beating Melbourne Victory 1-0 to move within one point of a top six spot.

With Andy Keogh’s goal all that separated the two sides on Sunday night, Glory also managed to field the oldest youngest player ever in a starting XI in Australian national league history.

Joel Chianese, 28, was the youngest player to walk out from the start, the only player not born in the 1980s for the Glory.

But despite this, their desperation was praised in a big win that sets up a huge final three rounds.

“Perth were desperate and took a finals attitude to that match,” said Fox Sports football expert John Kosmina.

“They kept their shape and there was a lot of desperation – a lot of blocked shot. It was a good battle from them.”

Mark Bosnich agreed, also suggesting they could upset Sydney FC next round to move into real contention to overtake Western Sydney Wanderers in sixth.

“It wasn’t a matter of Victory not being at the races, it was about Perth being so desperate,” Bosnich said.

“Sydney, with the way they’ve been going recently, if Perth play like this on Thursday it could be interesting.”

Glory remain in eighth despite the fourth straight home win but are a point behind the Wanderers and goal difference off seventh placed Brisbane Roar.

Having been earlier booked for simulation, striker Andy Keogh secured the win with a headed goal in the 44th minute for Glory.

It will still be tough for Perth to reach the finals with games against Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets and Brisbane to come, but it keeps them with a sniff. It ended a run of three A-League wins for Victory who remain two points off third placed Melbourne City.

They are only two points ahead of fifth placed Adelaide United too with games against the Wanderers, Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC to finish. It was Victory who had the best early chance with a Leroy George volleyed strike well saved by Glory ‘keeper Liam Reddy who tipped it into the crossbar. Kosta Barbarouses shot on the rebound was also blocked.

Keogh then had a sighter with a header in the 41st minute. Three minutes later he was delivered a ball on a platter from Scott Neville as he headed it home for his sixth goal of the campaign.

Both teams created some decent second half chances. But Glory had the better run of it and deserved to hold on for the 1-0 win as the Perth rain tumbled down.