Nico Bernal’s goal in the 67th minute, just moments after he was denied by a fine penalty save by Wagga keeper Liam Dedini, was enough to see the hosts progress to the Cup’s round-of-32.

Coach Jacob Timpano was delighted.

“It is a big achievement for the club and myself as a coach,” he said.

“I am really looking forward to it. For a club like ours it is really the pinnacle to get in the main draw.”

The Wolves were pushed all the way by a Wagga outfit who made sure their hosts knew they weren’t here just to make up the numbers.

Wollongong striker Ricky Zucco was the first to test Dedini with a snapshot in the 18th minute and he fired over the top shortly after.

Wagga created a number of half chances after the half hour mark, but the sides went level into the break at 0-0. It was all the Wanderers to start the second. Only two stunning saves by Wolves keeper Daniel Collison from Andrew Grant’s long-range strike and then Daniel Maclennan early in the second stanza kept teams level.

In a cruel blow to the visitors, things changed drastically with 23 minutes remaining.

A handball gave the Wolves a penalty which Dedini stopped low to his right. But Bernal would not be denied and found the corner of the net less than 60 seconds later with a deft header to send City packing.

“Games like that are what is Cup football is all about. The underdog steps up and it made it very difficult for us,” Timpano said.

“In saying that, if we put our chances away it is probably a different story.

“I said to the boys ‘super effort, job done’.”

Wagga coach Andrew Douglas was proud of his troops display against a side that sits three divisions above them in the NSW National Premier League 1.

The Wanderers had opportunities to level the match right up until the final minute.

“I am not disappointed whatsoever,” Douglas said.

“We didn’t look out of place on the pitch and I thought we created some very, very good opportunities.

“We just couldn’t get them in the back of the goal.”