No club had ever written an Australia Cup debut quite like this - and Preston weren’t the only Lions roaring

Preston Lions produced the greatest comeback in Australia Cup history after the debutants overturned a two-goal deficit to eliminate reigning champions and A-League premiers Newcastle Jets en route to the Round of 16.

Preston could hardly have imagined a more daunting introduction to the Australia Cup on Tuesday night. On debut in the competition's national rounds, the NPL VIC giants found themselves 2-0 down at half-time.

Ninety-four minutes later, they were celebrating one of the greatest comebacks the competition has ever seen.

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The Victorian club scored three unanswered second-half goals to stun the Jets 3-2 in front of a passionate home crowd, announcing themselves on the national stage in extraordinary fashion.

For much of the opening half, the script appeared to be unfolding as expected.

Newcastle's quality told through first-half goals from Will Dobson and Nikos Vergos, leaving Preston with an enormous task against the benchmark of Australian club football.

But the Lions refused to let their historic night end quietly. Nahuel Bonada ignited the comeback with two goals early in the second half, wiping away Newcastle's advantage and transforming the atmosphere around the venue.

As belief grew, so too did the pressure on the defending champions. Then came the defining moment.

Deep into stoppage time, Daniel Lazarevski - the son of Victorian great Nick - met Lleyton Brooks' cross with a powerful header, sending the packed home crowd into delirium and completing an unforgettable 3-2 victory.

Preston were not the only state league club to eliminate A-League opposition.

In Queensland, NPL QLD leaders Lions FC overcame Perth Glory in a penalty shootout after a dramatic 1-1 draw following extra time.

Substitute Jerson Lagos gave the Lions the lead before Perth forced penalties late through Andriano Lebib, but goalkeeper Jackson Riley proved the hero as the home side converted all four spot-kicks to progress.

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Elsewhere, last season’s runners-up Heidelberg United comfortably accounted for second-tier South Australian outfit Cumberland United, cruising to a 3-0 victory to secure their place in the Round of 16.

Anthony Theodoropoulos, Nicholas Duarte and Marcus Humbert scored for the reigning NPL VIC champions.

Sydney FC also advanced, ending Bayswater City's cup run with a commanding 5-1 victory in Western Australia.