Western United have snatched a spot in the FFA Cup round of 32 with Serbian international Aleksandar Prijovic scoring the winner in a dramatic 2-1 play-off victory over the Newcastle Jets.
In John Aloisi's first competitive game at the helm, United rode their luck after the Jets were denied what appeared to be a clear goal in the 31st minute, taking the lead through Lachie Wales 13 minutes later.
The Jets, in their first game under Arthur Papas, responded through recruit Daniel Penha's scintillating free kick in the 63rd minute before Prijovic capitalised on an error from Newcastle goalkeeper Jack Duncan to seal victory in the 79th.
United, who were making their Cup debut, will next play Wellington Phoenix in the round of 32 on December 7.
After trading early chances, Newcastle players were left aghast shortly after the half-hour mark when they were controversially denied a would-be goal.
United goalkeeper Jamie Young parried Angus Thurgate's fierce shot onto the post, with the ball appearing to fully cross the line as it rebounded, before bouncing back into play.
But to Newcastle's dismay, the goal was not awarded and unlike in the A-League Men, there is no VAR in the FFA Cup, while neither competition has goal line technology.
Thirteen minutes later, United snatched the lead after Steven Lustica's tantalising through ball left the Jets' defence scrambling.
Jason Hoffman attempted to block Wales' run to leave an easy pick-up for Duncan, but the Newcastle goalkeeper failed to read the ball and Wales quickly pounced to make him pay.
Early in the second half United's Dylan Wenzell-Halls had a goal ruled offside, while he was denied by Duncan's terrific diving save in the 52nd minute.
Eleven minutes later, Penha drove a near-unstoppable free kick past Young, who got a hand to the ball but couldn't send it to safety.
United substitute Dylan Pierias had a goal chalked off for offside in the 76th minute, while Young denied Dane Ingham shortly after.
But Prijovic had the final say when Duncan missed an attempted defensive clearance, leaving the ball for the Serbian striker to pass into the back of an open net.
Elsewhere, Macarthur FC had an ideal FFA Cup debut, comfortably accounting for Newcastle Olympic FC 3-0.
Aleksandar Jovanovic headed the Bulls in front in the 39th minute, with Lachlan Rose's brace sealing the victory.
Central Coast beat NSW NPL club Blacktown City thanks to debutant Beni N'Kololo's goal in the 75th minute.
The A-League Men season starts on November 19.
