However, Jack Needs made it 2-0 in the 61st.
That spurred on the Ethan Dent-coached visitors who pulled one back to 2-1 from a penalty kick after NOBM goalkeeper Ryan Todd tapped the ankle of a player in the 18m box.
Dave Ellison found the net in the 81st minute to secure victory for the hosts.
Rovers 3 Port Hill 2
On the adjacent paddock at Park Island, table-topping Promotem Napier City Rovers pipped AppMed House Port Hill United 3-2 after the sides were locked 1-1 at halftime.
Rovers coach Mark Henderson said the Blues led 3-1 with 25 minutes to go but Port Hill scored their second goal from Matt Single with 15 to go.
Reece Brew scored for the hosts first before Magnus Hansson equalised for Port Hill.
Centreback Regan Cameron and striker Andy Pickering also got on the scorecard for Rovers.
"It was a good end-to-end game and they [Port Hill] were good on counterattacks but we deserved to win," Henderson said after an upset loss to Maycenvale.
He said the visitors scored both their goals by catching them on the hop.
Gisborne 6 Rangers 1
It was a good old-fashioned hiding for the Western Rangers at Childers Road Reserve, although the visitors from Hastings kept the Sunshine Brewery Team Gisborne to 1-1 in the second half.
The Thomas Edge-coached Gisborne side pumped in five goals in the first half.
Kieran Ryan claimed a hattrick (12th, 15th, 53rd), Nicky Land got two (16th, 28th) and Michael Suske one (34th).
Veteran Ross Palmer got a consolation goal from a penalty kick in the 65th minute.
Edge didn't have to say much and chose not to in keeping with the mantra of the season of letting the players do all the talking on the paddock.
Rangers coach Ritchie Howard said if a football lesson was to be learned than it was best to take it on board from a Gissy side who played an attractive brand of game.
"They were gracious both on and off the field," Howard said, adding teams who stand off Gisborne would be punished.
"The only way is up so we cant be too downhearted."
Hastings 1 Taradale 2
Your Solutions Taradale pipped bottom dwellers Hastings Old Boys 2-1 after coming off a Chatham Cup loss in referees added time to Central League campaigners Bluewater Napier City Rovers the previous weekend.
"After the high of last Saturday we were a little flat today," player/coach Chris McIvor said after they led 1-0 at halftime at the Hastings Boys High School ground.
The Tony Simmonds-coached schoolboys were improving and competitive for a young brigade.
"In saying that we had a hatful of chances but didn't take them," McIvor said of the defending champions, who are predominantly veteran cup and national league players.
Nathaniel Wright drew first blood but former Rovers striker Fane Morgan equalised 1-1 in the 68th minute.
Dean Johnson struck the winner in the 81st minute after pouncing on a deflection in the 18m box.
