Recap

FC Carlton Heart have secured a pivotal win over Pascoe Vale to go six points clear of their nearest challengers Fitzroy at the top of the table.

The Heart started the same with ferocious intensity and scored the first two goals of the game through Chaaban Rajab and then Ernie Simsek.

Pascoe Vale pulled one goal back but Carlton replied with a goal of their own within seconds through Ben Rigby to regain momentum.

Carlton added another two goals to take a four goal lead into the half-time break.

The scorers weren’t troubled again until late into the second half when a controversial Pascoe Vale goal gave them a glimmer of hope.

That glimmer was further fuelled by a third Pascoe Vale goal through the returning Joao Da Silva, but it ultimately served as nothing more than a consolation as Carlton held on for their twelfth consecutive win of the season.

Man of the Match: Ernie Simsek (FC Carlton)