A Klime Sekutkoski penalty earned Wollongong United three precious points as the battle for Illawarra Premier League Finals spots hots up with just three weeks of the regular season remaining.

Joel Craig made a welcome return for Cringila and almost nicked an equaliser in the dying minutes of the game with a shot that brushed the bar. His presence could be vital as the Lions go into the final games trying to avoid bottom spot on the IPL ladder.

United coach Oliver Vrtkoski was happy with the result: "I think it was a fair result in the end but credit to Cringila, they came here with a plan and carried it out well. We were limited to a penalty today."

Lions coach Milco Saveski was proud of his players: "We started out defensively, but obviously pushed forward more once they scored. We created a couple of chances but we still need to improve, even though we've been building week by week since I took over."

United's top scorer Ben Brooks almost opened the scoring after just ten minutes. As usual it was a set-piece that gave the United defender his chance. He managed to bring Karouna Michael's free kick down to ground and turned his right foot shot towards goal, but the woodwork kept it out.

Moments later Tim Wylie turned his marker and set up a chance that Alexander Boullosa took cleanly low to his right.

For the Lions early on, Mikal Awad and Esali Ali looked lively on the ball in midfield, but Daniel Vasilevski was a lone figure up front and could do little to threaten the United goal with the likes of Brendan Reilly and Brooks to contend with in the centre of United's defence.

The visitors' best chance in the first half came from a free kick when Vasilevski was brought down on the D. Ali stepped up to take the kick and sent the ball over the wall just inches over the bar.

United were playing their usual patient play, focusing on possession and happy to pass the ball about until an opportunity presented itself. Such an opportunity came out of the blue in the 35th minute, when Daisuke Yuzawa sent a speculative ball into the area. Todd Sparks tried to clear with his chest but was adjudged to have handled and the referee pointed to the spot.

Sekutkoski made no mistake with his spot kick, sending the keeper the wrong way to give United the lead.

Half time: 1-0.

Reilly's timely tackles had stifled virtually every Cringila attack in the first half, but for once he was caught in possession inside his own area a few minutes into the second period. Joel Taddeo pounced and went for goal, sending the ball inches over from close range.

At the other end, Michael sent in another free kick, and with nobody able to counter Brooks' height, the United defender had a free header, which Boullosa did well to keep out.

Vrtkoski made the first change, bringing on Zac Mazevski on the hour mark. He was straight into action, picking up the ball down the right, but seemed unsure whether to go for goal himself or lay the ball off to Jin Ya An and the move fizzled out harmlessly.

Mazevski sent Michael through on goal in the 75th minute, finding the gap in the Lions defence, but Cringila captain Jarryd King dashed back to make the crucial tackle before Michael could shoot.

With Craig on as substitute, the visitors began to press forward and could sense an opportunity. King came close with a header at the far post and Awad curled a shot just inches over the bar. But still there was no way past the solid United back line.

So it fell to Craig, from 30 yards out, to fire in the Lions' closest effort in the 90th minute. The ball brushed over the woodwork before flying behind for a goal kick. A close shave for United, who held on for the win.

Looking ahead to the end of the season, Vrtkoski said: "We are taking things one game at a time, one win at a time. I think we can still make the Finals and fortunately our missing players are coming back one by one at just the right time."

For Saveski every remaining game is a like a cup final, but he is aware of the biggest tie coming up against current bottom side Shell Cove: "It was good to have Joel Craig back today for the first time since I took over, and I'm hoping for a couple more players to get fit before that big match."

Wollongong United - 1 (Sekutkoski, pen 35')

Cringila Lions - 0

Macedonia Park, Sunday 7 August 2016

Referee: Tony Bosevski

Assistant referees: Michael Bell, Dylan Arvela

Wollongong United: Sam Nastic, Jin Ya An, Ben Brooks, Moto Kinjo (Jackson Brooks 81'), Karouna Michael, Brendan Reilly, Klime Sekutkoski, Billy Tsovolos, Daisuke Yuzawa, Nathan Scicchitano (Josh Hurt 71'), Tim Wylie (Zac Mazevski 62') (subs not used: Nick Ristevski, Jonny Martinoski)

Cringila Lions: Alexander Boullosa, Todd Sparks, Jarryd King, Daniel Wagus, James Eldred (Jacob Martin 87'), Esali Ali, Mikal Awad, Joel Taddeo, Alexander Brbevski (Michael Stojanoski 82'), Hironori Kobayashi (Joel Craig 69'), Daniel Vasilevski (subs not used: Brynley Richards, Tony Tupanceski)

Report by Simon Duffin

Photo courtesy of Pedro Garcia