In front of a crowd of 3,123, Preston overcame a disastrous goalkeeping blunder from Liam Scott in the ninth minute to run out resounding 3-1 winners, converting three of their four shots on target.
Two of them came from former Melbourne Victory midfielder Lleyton Brooks, who struck either side of half-time with his right boot from inside the box.
Queensland were left to lament some poor defending of their own when Nahuel Bonada, who has excelled for Preston since his mid-season move from South Melbourne in July, was left unmarked near the penalty spot and deflected a cross from Brooks to the left of a diving goalkeeper.
The 2026 Australia Cup quarter-finalists moved to ten points with their third victory of the tournament and are now in prime position to win the group, with their final group stage game to take place against last-placed South Hobart at home next Thursday evening.
It means that Wollongong Wolves, who missed last season's quarter-finals by a goal difference of just one, face must-win away trips to both South Hobart and Queensland Lions in their final two games.
Whilst Wolves could remain mathematically in the hunt for second place with a shootout loss to South Hobart, their inferior goal difference to both Queensland and Preston means anything other than a victory in Hobart - whether in regular time or by penalties - would almost certainly eliminate them at the group stage for a second successive year.
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
