Soccer: Heartbreaking late goal costs West Aucklanders dearly

Conceding yet another heartbreaking late goal yesterday cost Waitakere United their away game against Canterbury United and with it their fourth place on the New Zealand Football Championship points table.

Until second-half substitute Gerard Brown scored in the 94th minute, Waitakere were poised to grab the upset of the round and consolidate their play-off hopes.

Veteran midfielder Chris Jackson had given the visitors their 42nd minute lead at English Park when he stabbed home after the Canterbury defence had failed to clear.

Eleven minutes into the second spell the home side went close but Brent Fisher's attempt - in his last game before heading overseas - was well saved by Simon Eaddy.

The dreams of a seventh win were shattered deep into stoppage time when Brown was able to run at the Waitakere defence before hitting home on the angle.

It does not get any easier for Steve Cain's team because they are away again, on Sunday, to leaders YoungHeart Manawatu.

The Palmerston North-based side, too, had to battle yesterday before holding on to edge Waikato FC 4-3 at Links Ave.

Again, coach Colin Tuaa was able to thank his Solomon Islanders for their part in the victory which kept them a point clear of Auckland City at the top of the table.

After 20 minutes of give and take, the visitors took the lead when Benjamin Totori tapped in while the Waikato defence were, unsuccessfully, looking for an offside call.

In the 36th minute Waikato levelled it up when Jakub Sinkora buried a 20m left-foot monster.

After turning 1-1, Manawatu went back in front seven minutes later when Commins Menapi provided the finish to fellow Solomon Islander Alex Maemae's cross.

Again, the home side hit back with Nathan Robertson heading home from a corner for 2-2.

But the visitors then showed they are not sitting at the top of the pile for no reason when Ian Sandbrook too netted a beauty.

The Menapi-Maemae double act popped again two minutes from time for a 4-2 lead before the home side hit back with Ian Robinson heading home from close range.

Auckland City, mindful of their two-game losing streak, were in no mood to show Team Wellington charity.

In front after 26 minutes when Grant Young scored from 6m the visitors to Newtown Park were rarely troubled.

Three second-half goals - to Reg Davani, James Pritchett and Davani again - had City 4-0 ahead with 16 minutes to play leaving no way back for the home side who ended the day where they started, in seventh place.

In the 18th-round opener on Saturday, Otago United were made to work hard before claiming their 1-0 away win over Hawkes Bay United with Blair Scoullar's 20th minute strike from a free kick separating the sides.

It was yet another game in which an over-zealous fourth official intervened and succeeded in having Bay coach Jon Gould yellow-carded.

In another key 19th-round clash this week, Canterbury United, now assured of a top-three finish, are at home to Team Wellington who must win to keep their faint hopes alive.