Manel Exposito of Auckland City. Photo / Getty Images
The tussle for the ASB minor premiership became even tighter after wins for Canterbury United and Waitakere United slashed Auckland City's lead at the top to just two points.
Rapidly-improving Team Wellington held Auckland City to a 1-1 draw, a result that leaves the capital men four points behind top spot and six clear of Hawkes Bay who dumped YoungHeart Manawatu 5-0 in Palmerston North inspired by a Tom Biss hat-trick.
Waikato FC's short unbeaten run came to an end when Canterbury downed the home side 3-0 in Hamilton, while Waitakere United were too slick for Otago United as they romped to a 5-0 victory.
Auckland City's unbeaten run stretched to eight matches but they were made to work hard when Team Wellington took the lead on 18 minutes when Patrick Fleming's drive beat Jacob Spoonley.
Auckland City bounced back almost immediately when Manel Exposito slotted past Phil Imray just 60 seconds later. Karl Whalen spurned the best chance of the match when he smashed a volley over Spoonley's crossbar from just six yards out. The draw means Auckland City have dropped four points in their last two matches.
Fiji international striker Roy Krishna went top of the ASB Premiership Golden Boot charts as he grabbed a hat-trick for Waitakere United at Fred Taylor Park, Whenuapai.
Krishna's treble gave the pacy forward seven goals for the campaign. Krishna's speed troubled a flat-footed Otago United defence all afternoon with the Fijian scoring after just nine minutes. Waitakere doubled the lead when Liam Lockhart slotted an own goal three minutes later and Krishna extended the punishment when he lobbed goalkeeper Peter Evans on 34 minutes to give Waitakere a comfortable 3-0 halftime lead. He completed his treble when he fired home through a crowded penalty area with 16 minutes left.
Ryan de Vries capped off a fine Waitakere display with the fifth six minutes later to keep the West Aucklanders within touching distance of the minor premiership.
Hawkes Bay United's Tom Biss impressed as his side turned over hapless YoungHeart Manawatu 5-0 at Memorial Park. Sam Margetts notched his fourth goal of the season after just five minutes before Biss scored from the penalty spot on 12 minutes after Hamish McKay had brought down Fergus Neil. Referee Chris Kerr sent McKay off and Dale Higham soon joined him when he was also red carded after a clash with Jamie O'Connor. With both sides down to 10 men, Hawke's Bay adjusted better to the conditions and Biss grabbed a second with a brilliant right-foot shot on 72 minutes.
Biss completed his hat-trick with his second successful penalty of the day and substitute Hamish Watson added a fifth one minute into time added on to give Bay a convincing win. The defeat saw YoungHeart Manawatu break its own record for most goals conceded in a 14-match regular season competition.
In Hamilton, Waikato FC's young charges were no match for an in-form Canterbury United. Russell Kamo netted a first-half brace to settled Cantab nerves before Aaron Clapham sealed a fine afternoon for Keith Braithwaite's men with a stunning volley that gave goalkeeper Mark Fulcher no chance 11 minutes before fulltime.
The next round of matches see the Super City derby showdown take place between Auckland City and Waitakere United at Kiwitea Street on Saturday 4 February. Also played the same day is Canterbury United's match against Hawkes Bay United where a win for the home side may be enough to catapult them into top spot if other results go their way.
On Sunday, Otago host Manawatu at Dunedin and Waikato FC entertain Team Wellington in Hamilton. Auckland City are kept busy when they travel to Napier on Monday 6 February to play a catch-up match with Hawkes Bay United.