A ninth minute header from Patrick Antelmi proved the difference in a scrappy encounter at WIN Stadium.

The result moves Wollongong back within striking distance of the top five, with just three points separating them from fifth-placed Rockdale City Suns after five rounds.

“It is an important three points,” Wolves coach Jacob Timpano said.

“We have had a pretty disrupted start to the season with the way our training has been impacted by the weather so hopefully this can set a platform for things to come.

“In footballing terms, it was probably wasn’t the most productive performance.

“It was a bit of a scrappy game but they are the ones you sometimes have to grind out when you get a lead.”

APIA came into the match with a perfect four wins from four matches, but were quickly chasing their tails in Wollongong when Antelmi headed home.

Their best chances to get an equaliser in the first half came from a spate of free-kicks in dangerous positions, but only one would force a save out of in-form Wolves keeper Justin Pasfield.

Wollongong’s Nico Bernal almost doubled the Wolves advantage midway through the half when his stunning bicycle forced Luke Turnbull into a save.

After keeping their 1-0 advantage at the break, Wollongong struggled to find a second goal in the second half to kill the game off.

It opened the door for APIA to snatch a draw, but they were unable to fashion any major chances on the Wolves goal.

Those opportunities fell at the opposite end of the paddock to Josh MacDonald, who should have scored the Wolves second in added time.

Shortly after forcing Turnbull into a good save from a tight angle, MacDonald beat the keeper to the ball and only needed to find a way past Josh Symons to score.

But the Tigers defender was up to the challenge, ensuring the game finished at 1-0.

It provided the Wolves with their first clean sheet of the campaign.

“The boys defended well,” Timpano said.

“Brent Wilson did a great job coming in to cover Chris Price while he was out suspended.

“I thought [Michael Robinson]  and Justin [Pasfield] marshalled the boys really well from the back throughout the match which was important.

“All in all, it was good to come away with the clean sheet against a side like APIA too.”

Price will more than likely return during the weekend when Wollongong play their rescheduled FFA Cup clash against Sutherland Sharks.

Meanwhile, Wollongong were beaten 3-0 by APIA in the under-20s while in the under-18s, they had a 1-1 draw.

The Wolves play Sydney United 58 next weekend, who returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Bonnyrigg on Sunday.