MONTREAL – After the side lost back-to-back games to close the month of July, there was a chance Louisville City FC could have let its hold on a top-two position in the USL Eastern Conference slip.

Following a second consecutive 1-0 victory on Saturday, as the side defeated a recently surging FC Montreal at the Complexe Sportif Claude Robillard, Louisville’s grip on its position tightened as it moved nine points clear of third-place Richmond in the conference standings.

"We hit a little rough patch, but I think we're back on track now and in good form, which is exactly what every team wants,” said Aodhan Quinn following the game.

Quinn scored the only goal for City four minutes into the second half as his header from Ben Newnam’s corner kick found the back of the net. With rookie Tim Dobrowolski making his debut in goal in the absence of Greg Ranjitsingh on international duty with Trinidad & Tobago, Louisville’s defense didn’t give Montreal many clear looks on goal from then on, with Alessandro Riggi’s shot into the right side-netting with 16 minutes to go the closest the hosts came to an equalizer.

• RELATED: Louisville Silences Streaking Montreal

“I was obviously pleased with the performance,” said Louisville Coach James O’Connor. “I thought we dominated the game. We controlled it for long periods. I just thought our decision making in the final third needed to be better. I thought we got into some decent positions.”

Dobrowolski’s debut meant Scott Goodwin’s brief return to Louisville’s squad saw him remain on the bench on Saturday afternoon. Now enrolled at Harvard Medical School, Goodwin returned to the side in Ranjitsingh’s absence, and enjoyed being back with the group.

"It was a lot of fun,” Goodwin said. “Obviously I was kind of itching to get back with the guys. It was definitely cool to get one more experience under the belt. Overall, it was a great win and a great performance by Tim. I'm happy for him.”

• USL Push for the Playoffs: Labor Day Weekend Edition

Louisville can clinch at least a second-place finish with six points from its final three games of the season, and returns home next Saturday for a clash that could be a playoff preview as it welcomes the Richmond Kickers to Slugger Field.

`With the postseason in sight, Louisville is focused on a strong finish to the regular season.

“We've still got three more games to play [before the playoffs], so we're going to take it one game at a time and hopefully continue this form,” said Quinn.