A draw that wasn't quite a draw: Australian Championship's new era begins with a twist

Wollongong Wolves made Australian Championship history, becoming the first club to benefit from the competition's new penalty shootout rule following an opening-night encounter against Preston Lions.

The two former National Soccer League clubs played out a goalless draw at Genis Steel Stadium on Thursday night, but the introduction of a new bonus-point system meant there was still something to play for.

Under the revamped format, drawn group-stage matches go straight to penalties, with the shootout winner collecting two competition points and the losing side one.

And it took just one match for the rule to make its mark.

Former Socceroo Luke Wilkshire, now coaching Wollongong, made a bold decision in stoppage time, replacing goalkeeper Lucas Sinnott with Nick Sorras specifically for the shootout.

The gamble paid off as NPL NSW’s the Wolves prevailed 6-5 on penalties against the NPL VIC powerhouse, with Marcus Beattie converting the decisive spot-kick to secure the competition's first bonus point.

Both teams had opportunities to settle the contest in regulation time. Wollongong struck the woodwork early, while Preston's Daniel Edwards went close with a powerful long-range volley in the second half.

The result leaves Wollongong with two points and Preston with one, providing an immediate example of how the new rule could influence the race for quarter-final qualification.