Striker Aaron Burgess sparked with both goals in Otago United's 2-1 win over Canterbury in Christchurch yesterday.
Burgess opened the scoring after 31min at English Park and backed that up with a stunning free kick in the second half in a match which was played during lightning storms at times.
Burgess might have had a first-half hat trick as he got on the end of penetrating crosses from Barry Gardiner and Dave Dugdale, but Canterbury keeper Mike O'Keefe was in top form.
Visiting captain Colin Falvey, still dripping with sweat and effort after the game, praised his side's performance.
"Derbies are never easy. It takes a team performance, and every player did their bit," he said.
"Let's hope we can stay on track with more wins, and move up the table."
The win places Otago - with a game in hand - just one point behind Canterbury and three behind third bottom Wellington which has 11pts.
As expected in a traditional derby, the game started at a hectic pace with Otago turning the screw in early exchanges, as fine weather degenerated into spells of hail, thunder and lightning.
Referee Chris Kerr tried to keep control as tacklers flew in and it was Andy Coburn who received the game's first yellow card.
Under pressure, Canterbury scrambled clear a couple of well delivered corners, and former Canterbury favourite Stu Kelly launched a freekick that skimmed the home side's crossbar.
Gardiner also had his shooting boots on, and finding space, he hit shots and crosses that typified the positive attitude Otago brought to the match.
However, Canterbury was a different team in the second half and a strong run by Tom Lancaster drew a foul from which Chang blasted the freekick over Otago's crossbar.
The Otago bench was airborne as a debatable offside decision robbed Dugdale of a sure chance to increase Otago's lead after 63min.
Then Otago supporters were jumping again, but for good reason this time as a strong Coburn run invited a foul tackle and referee Kerr awarded a free kick at the edge of the penalty area.
Burgess and Kelly hovered over the ball, but it was Invercargill's marksman Burgess who took the initiative and drilled Otago into a 2-0 lead after 71min.
But the match was far from over, as Adam Cowen replaced Nick Wortleboer, and pushing forward, Jamie Smith curled a good goal round Otago keeper Liam Little to make the score 2-1 after 79min.
Burgess was then replaced by Tom Connor and Tom Jackson, suffering from cramp, was replaced by Regan Coldicott as both sides dug deep.
But the Otago defence held for its second win over Canterbury this season.
