Soccer: Manawatu slip up in title chase

YoungHeart Manawatu and Waitakere City blew their chances of making any progress in their New Zealand Football Championship chase by playing out an insipid 3-3 draw at Trusts Stadium.

After leaders Auckland City had banked another three points with their no-frills 3-0 win over Hawke's Bay on Saturday, the pressure was on Manawatu to also take maximum points yesterday.

Behind 0-1 after Stuart Hogg hammered home from close range when goalkeeper Michael Utting failed to control a Craig Wylie cross, Manawatu went on to lead 2-1 on the back of two Commins Menapi penalties. But in the end the visitors were left wondering.

Steve Callinan had a good chance to increase Waitakere's lead to two in the 35th minute but wasted that with a dreadful attempt.

Accepting that, Manawatu pressed forward and won a penalty.

Ian Robinson stepped forward but his attempt was well saved by Simon Eaddy who was then left shaking his head in disbelief when linesman Jan Hintz convinced referee Steve Fletcher that he had moved early.

Menapi slammed home the retake to end the half 1-1.

Ten minutes into the second spell, the home side were again penalised for a clumsy challenge when Menapi was brought down. He bounced up to slot home his penalty for 2-1.

Twenty minutes later it was again tied up when substitute Marcus Phillips curled home a well-taken free kick after Dean Storey had been fouled by Mark Tesar.

Two minutes later the home side were back in front when Callinan poked home from close range after Utting failed to clear a right wing Richie Cardozo corner.

Two minutes on and again another goal when Campbell Banks was given too much room and headed home an Alick Maemae corner.

There were chances at both ends in the remaining minutes but instead both teams were left to contemplate what might have been.

"We threw that one away," Manawatu coach Colin Tuaa said.

"They had nothing but the long ball but we couldn't counter it. At least we got something from it. In the end, we let them back in."

Tuaa now contemplates a vital home game with third-placed Canterbury without central defenders Adam Cowan, sent off for a second yellow card by Fletcher, and Mark Tesar, who was shown his fifth yellow of the season.

United coach Steve Cain was in no brighter mood.

"We have to put teams like that away," said Cain. "We battled back and then gave it away.

"That game showed there is no difference between second and fifth."

Against Hawke's Bay, City went ahead when Paul Urlovic scored before most spectators had taken their seats. Goals to Keryn Jordan, inevitably, and an own goal sealed their 11th win in 13 outings.

In Christchurch, Team Wellington returned to their woeful worst in going down 4-0 to Canterbury United. Glen Collins scored either side of halftime for 2-0 before Brent Fisher and Michael White put it beyond reach.

In Dunedin, Otago United and Waikato FC took a point each from an uninspiring 0-0 draw.