Coach Chris Taylor admits they got lucky and South Melbourne's A-League aspirations will face a far bigger test if they draw a top-tier side in the FFA Cup's round of 16.
South's return to the national spotlight was ultimately successful thanks to Milos Lujic's 94th-minute header to seal a 1-0 win in Wednesday night's round of 32.
But the four-time NSL champions were fortuitous not to concede in a first half ruled by underdogs Edgeworth Eagles and their still-lively former A-League striker Daniel McBreen.
"I didn't think we played well," Taylor said.
"They brought the game to us, probably worked us out in one or two areas and credit to them.
"They're well coached and maybe we were a bit lucky at times.
"The more we got into the game, we could have put them to the sword and we didn't."
South's FFA Cup fate will go a long way to helping or hindering the well-resourced club's strong desire to re-enter Australia's top flight.
Should the Victorian NPL leaders draw an A-League team in the next round, they'll need to bring it from whistle to whistle
"We want to be in the A-League. If we draw an A-League team I'm sure we'll give it a good go," Taylor said.
"The big thing for us is to play games here ... we want to put on a good show for everyone and showcase Lakeside as a stadium.
"That's A-League class out there, and we just want to be knocking on the door and telling everyone what we're about."
In Wednesday night's other matches, Hakoah came from behind three times to topple minnows Hills United 6-3 -- an FFA Cup record for most goals in a single game.
Brumbies man Brad Robertson was the standout with a curling free kick to give the NPL2 battlers a 3-2 lead in the 80th minute, before Hakoah levelled in the last minute and buried three more goals in extra-time.
The Bankstown Berries knocked off South Australian heavyweights MetroStars 2-1 while Sorrento saw off last year's semifinalists Canberra United 1-0.
Next Tuesday's round of 32 fixtures is highlighted by A-League action, including Western Sydney vs. Wellington and reigning champions Melbourne City away to Brisbane debutants Peninsula Power.
On Wednesday, 2016 finalists and A-League champions Sydney FC play Darwin Rovers at the country's top end.