Vasco da Gama FC kept alive their hopes of survival in Brazil's Serie A football championship by defeating Santos 1-0.Former Paris Saint-Germain and West Ham United forward Nene struck the winner by converting a penalty on the stroke of halftime on Sunday, reports Xinhua.The match was delayed for more than an hour by heavy rain that left the pitch submerged under inches of water.Four-time Serie A champions Vasco, who are nextaway to Coritiba in their final game of the season, need other matches to go their way to avoid relegation next year.Meanwhile, Sunday's result ended Santos' hopes of a top-four finish. The battle for fourth spot is now a three-way battle among Sao Paulo, Internacional and Sport Recife.The top four teams earn a berth in next year's Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition.