Hume City became the fourth National Premier League Victoria side to qualify for the last 32 of the FFA Cup when they saw off NPL 1 side Kingston City 2-0 in a closely contented tie at Broadmeadows Valley Park on Wednesday night.

Kingston are a division below the winners, but the underdogs were in the game right until Hume made the match safe with an 86th minute sealer from Theo Markelis, the former Melbourne Victory striker who had put Hume in front in the first half.

The hosts began at a brisk pace as if they were intent on putting the tie to bed as soon as possible.

But Kingston _ who sit third on the NPL First Division table _ began to settle and started to knock the ball around with precision and intent.

Hume, however, got their noses in front in the 14th minute when Jai Ingham broke with pace down the right and set up skipper Nick Hegarty for a shot. His drive was blocked but the rebound fell to Markelis, who fired home from inside the area.

Kingston sought to bounce back quickly and Sean McIlroy tested Hume keeper Chris Oldfield from distance. Hegarty then shot over as Hume tried to extend their lead and Andrew Doig did the same at the other end.

Marcus Shroen almost doubled the advantage shortly after the restart with a fiercely struck shot that Kingston goalkeeper Douglas Lindberg palmed away, while McIlroy hit the bar as Kingston searched for an equaliser. Markelis then went close with another shot which produced a fine save from Lindberg.