Tauranga City United had to settle for a disappointing 3-3 draw with Northern League Division Two strugglers Manukau City after a disappointing second half at Links Avenue yesterday.
The home side conceded two goals in the opening 20 minutes of the second half to surrender a well-earned 3-1 half time lead, and failed to convert a swathe of chances that would have seen them win four games on the trot after dropping the first two of the season.
Manukau came out much stronger after the interval, harassing their hosts into panic and a number of rash decisions when the occasion called for cool heads.
Elliot Stead scored for the visitors from a free kick just outside the box before Greg Seed latched on to a through ball after some ineffective defending to tie the match after 67 minutes.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the closing stages, but Tauranga City threatened more often. They will be lamenting this match as one that got away.