Napier-born Andy Bevin had the chance to emulate Biss in the 31st minute for the Rangers, after receiving a well-worked pass from winger Richard Bott, but goalkeeper Ruben Parker Hanks, making his first appearance after a lengthy injury layoff since his outing on April 23 against Petone FC, was equal to the occasion.
In the 39th minute, Biss delivered the 1-0 lead coming from a long ball from playmaker Saul Halpin from about 40m out. The midfielder brought the ball down deftly before surging into the box to push it past a charging Miramar goalkeeper Dan Clarke.
In the 53rd minute, Biss collected a straight red from the referee after running across from across the field to take out a charging Miramar player. It was hard to make out if it was a lazy leg or Biss showed his sprigs as the player went diving but either way it was an unnecessary challenge as it was nowhere near a threat to the Blues goalmouth after a cornerkick at the Rangers' end of the park.
Three minutes later, Rovers assistant coach Chris Greatholder lost his cool in the dog box after questioning the whistle blower for ruling a throw-in be retaken on the main grandstand side of the park, after it was deemed to have curled outside the line.
Greatholder yelled at ref's assistant, Gord Harris, of Hawke's Bay, before Riley stopped the game, marched up to Greatholder and ordered him to leave the dugout area.
"What for? What for?" Greatholder asked but Riley didn't budge as Rovers board member Graeme Sole urged the assistant coach to leave although Blues player/coach Bill Robertson carried on remonstrating.
Team Wellington's golden boot import striker, Tom Jackson, came in for Bredeveldt soon after in what was a clever move from Rangers coach Wiremu Patrick not to risk a red card.
Ironically, a man-down Rovers made all the play for the next 10 minutes with Stephen Hoyle probably having the best chance to push the hosts ahead in the 67th minute but the Rangers defenders covered smartly.
However, it was the Wellingtonians who equalised 1-1 in the 69th minute from substitute Niko Kirwan, justifying Miramar coach Wiremu Patrick's decision seconds earlier as a dejected Richard Bott trudged off shaking his head.
The goal came from a low cross from the left flank but while keeper Hanks parried the ball Kirwan pounced on it to slot it into the net from inside the box.
The Blues needed fresh legs but it seemed to come very late for some weary Rovers legs with Stu Wilson in for Halpin in the 84th minute, no doubt an oversight with the absence of Greatholder on sideline.
The cruel blow for the Blues came from midfielder Ben Harris, 2-1, a minute from regulation time, to deafening silence from the Blues faithful who had earlier jeered Riley and his assistants when calls went the hosts' way.
The referee blew it up after two minutes of added time but you somehow get the impression it's not the last you will hear about this game.
