For the first 65 minutes of Saturday’s game against Charleston, the Carolina RailHawks relived the frustration that has plagued them for much of the season. Despite dominating play, the RailHawks could not score a goal, even when they put the ball into the back of the net.

But second-half substitute Phillip Long made sure the RailHawks and their 4,257 fans were not disappointed. Long scored from 12 yards out in the 66th minute, finishing a play started by some nifty footwork from teammate Joey Worthen, and his goal spurred the RailHawks to a 2-0 win at SAS Soccer Park.

The goal was the team’s first in USL play since Connally Edozien’s tally in Carolina’s 2-2 tie against Rochester June 8, and ended the RailHawks’ not-so-noteworthy streak of 208 scoreless minutes.

“Obviously, it’s been very frustrating,” Long said. “We’ve been playing well, and we’ve been practicing well. We’re scoring a lot in practice, but it hasn’t been reciprocating into games. Tonight we were able to control play and we got a couple goals. It was a big relief.”

Long’s goal, his first in USL play this season, came 11 minutes after he came on for Stuart Brightwell, who was knocked down several times in the first half and whose injuries hampered his effectiveness early in the second half.

In the 66th minute, Worthen took a pass from the back and streaked down the left sideline. He beat a Battery defender and cut into the box along the touchline, where he played the ball back toward the penalty spot. Long ran onto the ball and one-timed a low shot to the far post past Charleston goalie Keith Wiggins.

“I thought (Worthen) might play one back, or I though he’d shoot and I’d better be ready for a rebound,” Long said. “He played one back, a really nice ball, and I was able to put it in the goal.”

Kupono Low’s fourth goal of the year doubled the RailHawks’ lead in the 77th minute when he scored on a penalty kick. Edozien, who came on in the 72nd, was taken down from behind by Charleston defender Jordan Hughes to earn the spot kick. Wiggins guessed wrong, and Low’s left-footed shot easily found the low, right-hand corner of the net.

The RailHawks held a 15-5 advantage in shots, controlled play for most of the contest, and goalie Chris McClellan made three saves — including two strong, second-half reflex stops while the game was still scoreless — to post his sixth shutout of the season.

“We’ve been telling the guys in practice that the last three games were a fluke,” said Carolina coach Scott Schweitzer. “They proved it [Saturday]. Against Seattle, we panicked and played right into their hands. [Saturday] we didn’t do that. We put together a full 90 minutes. We need to take that and do it again and again.”

Charleston, which beat Atlanta Friday night, started an 11 that included regulars midfielder Gordon Chin and defender Tim Karalexis. Karalexis proved vital to Charleston as he saved a goal in the 36th minute.

Carolina midfielder Chris Carrieri’s close-range shot beat Wiggins but Karalexis headed it off the goal line. RailHawks forward Anthony Maher headed in the rebound, but the goal was disallowed as Maher was ruled to have pushed off to get an advantage. Karalexis’ save was one of three balls the Battery cleared off the goal line after Wiggins had been beaten.

The Battery also had several chances of its own to score. Aaron King was stopped by Carolina defender David Stokes in the box in the 17th minute. While controlling play early in the second half both Ian Bennett and Louie Rolko were denied by McClellan.

“Scoring a goal there in the second half would’ve made a huge difference,” said Charleston coach Mike Anaheuser. “But their keeper made the saves and then they scored. That makes your legs a lot heavier.”

With the win, Carolina moved to 4-3-5 for 17 points and sole possession of sixth place in the USL First Division. But the RailHawks have at least one game in hand over the two teams — Seattle (19 points) and Charleston (18) — ahead of them in the standings.

The RailHawks had chances to score more in the waning stages of the match. Marcio Leite, an 80th-minute substitute, needed only to get his foot to a cross to score into an empty net in the 84th minute but stepped over the ball. Three minutes later, Leite split two defenders and, with Wiggins rushing off his line, barely sent a shot wide of the right post.

Still, captain Frankie Sanfilippo said the team should be pleased with its effort. Carolina outshot its opponent for the eighth time in 12 USL games. The difference this time, however, was that Carolina posted three points instead of just one.

“It was important for us to show our home field belongs to us,” Sanfilippo said. “The offense has been struggling, but tonight everyone played well and it showed. We need to have more games like this.”