It was not the batting or bowling exploits of Altona's games record- holder that captivated his teammates in a thrilling one-run win over Moorabbin in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west group on Saturday.

It was his breathtaking, spread-your-wings-style, one-handed catch to his right to dismiss the dangerous Susantha Pradeep to set the A's on the road to victory. As top-order batsman Tim Collins said it was the one moment of brilliance that changed the match.

"It was a massive game for us," he said. "Moorabbin were only one game behind us and we were right up against it until that point. That catch was a match-turner."

The A's did not handle the bowler-assisting conditions on the opening day.

The visitors had their backs against the wall as they perished for 156.

The shining light for the A's was the debut performance of Alex Canals.

Promoted after a strong showing in the second XI, the youngster went on to record a team-high 64 in his first game in the big league.

"If it wasn't for him we wouldn't have even got close to 156," Collins said.

"He was fantastic; he was selective with his shots and showed a mature head."

Canals' knock, at least, provided a heartbeat for the A's.

It was the effervescent bowling display of Glenn Sullivan that injected life into the A on day two. A marathon effort yielded a stunning 5-47 and gave the impetus for the A's to record the narrowest of wins as Moorabbin was extinguished for 155 in 60 overs.

"He probably bowled his best spell for the season," Collins said.

The A's' win took until an hour after stumps to be confirmed by the umpires.

It was a nervous wait for both sets of players as they worked out a discrepancy in the scorebooks.

"There was a bit of controversy after the game," Collins said.

"We'd already shaken hands and it took an hour to work out they had buggered up two leg byes.

"It all worked out for us in the end."