Almost 7,000 packed the ground. South Melbourne delivered when it mattered

South Melbourne moved through to the Australia Cup semi-finals after coming from behind to defeat fierce rivals Preston Lions 2-1 on a huge night for Victorian football.

Almost 7,000 fans packed Genis Steel Stadium for the all-NPL Victoria quarter-final, where Preston threatened to continue their memorable maiden campaign on the national stage when Cian Cuba fired the hosts ahead early in the second half on Wednesday.

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NPL VIC foes South responded within 12 minutes through Jack Painter-Andrews before Arran Cocks produced the defining moment.

Cocks combined with Yuki Uchida outside the penalty area before unleashing a stunning strike to complete the comeback and send South into the Australia Cup final four for the third time in club history.

It adds another chapter to a remarkable period under head coach Sinisa Cohadzic.

After preserving South’s NPL Victoria status last season, Cohadzic went on to deliver the Dockerty Cup and historic inaugural Australian Championship title before guiding the club to the inaugural OFC Pro League final.

South are now preparing for another NPL Victoria finals campaign, and remain alive on the national stage.

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Their reward is a blockbuster semi-final against NPL QLD powerhouse Lions FC, who have already collected three trophies this season and eliminated A-League clubs Perth Glory and Melbourne City.

The winner of that tie will face either Melbourne Victory or Sydney FC in the showpiece decider.

For Preston, defeat ends a breakthrough Australia Cup debut that reached the final eight during a season in which they also lifted their first Dockerty Cup in 32 years.