But once Jack Myers broke the deadlock after the break, there was only going to be one winner.
An own goal and Daniel Seaman-Harris’ long-range strike sealed the latest win that puts Maccabi Manchester 2nds on the brink of glory.
"It is getting closer and closer now and we just have to keep our heads," Modlin told JC Sport.
"We were a little fortunate that South Manchester missed some good chances and that we were clinical enough to punish them.
"The scoreline flattered us but, at this stage of the season, it is all about the points rather than performances."
Report by Darren Witcoop