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South Coast pulled off one of their biggest wins of the season to their keep finals hopes alive in a 1-0 triumph over APIA Leichhardt at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
The Wolves dominated the chances but only needed Jordan Murray's decisive first half strike to claim the points.
"I think from start to finish we outplayed APIA," Wolves coach Jacob Timpano said.
"The boys lift when they play the good teams and they showed again today that we are a better team than the ladder suggests.
"I am proud of the boys with the way they went about themselves but, like last week, we could have shot ourselves in the foot because we didn't take our chances.
"It could have been anything today but the boys ground out the victory which shows the character in team."
Anything but a Wolves victory would have been a disappointment for the home fans.
They always looked the more likely of finding the net and found it in the 26th minute through Murray.
The talented young striker, who later hit the post, received the ball from Chris Price on the left flank and calmly slotted home.
Sam Matthews, Peter Simonoski and James O'Rourke each had opportunities to double the lead before the break but were unable to find the net.
That trend would continue in the second half.
Matthews again tested Tigers' gloveman Christopher Hoore in the 53rd minute but the keeper pulled off a fine low save.
APIA began to push forward in search on an equaliser throughout the final quarter of an hour, but the Tigers were unable to pierce the South Coast defence or testing keeper Thomas Manos, who again put in an assured display.
"Defensively, I thought the boys were superb," Timpano said.
"At home against one of the top sides in the competition, who touched us up in the first round, it is a great turnaround."
The win sees the Wolves jump Sutherland Sharks into ninth on 23 competition points. It puts them within two points of a potential finals berth with three rounds remaining.
Several results went their way on Sunday.
Fifth-placed Sydney United (25 points) and Blacktown Spartans (25 points), who lie sixth, both dropped games to leave the door ajar for the Wolves, Rockdale City and Manly United (both 24 points).