KEY POINTS:
Steve Cain's post-Christmas celebrations got even bigger when arch-rivals Auckland City could do no better than a 1-1 draw with New Zealand Football Championship cellar-dwellers Waikato FC in Hamilton yesterday.
Coming 24 hours after his Waitakere side had overcome the potentially lead-threatening YoungHeart Manawatu 2-0, the points dropped
by City have allowed Cain more breathing space in the run-in to the play-offs.
The draw at Waikato Stadium signalled the start of a tough six days for City and new coach Paul Marshall.
They must regroup quickly for Wednesday's catch-up game against Hawkes Bay in Napier and then again on Saturday at Kiwitea St against Canterbury United who have moved into third place on the back of their emphatic 4-1 home win over Team Wellington.
City dominated for long periods against the Waikato side, now coached by Roger Wilkinson, but their failure to turn half-decent chances into goals cost them.
Paul Urlovic, joining Grant Young in the line-up in the absence of suspended Keryn Jordan, missed an early chance but capitalised on some weak defensive play to give the visitors their 35th-minute lead after Matt Williams had almost opened the scoring for Waikato a minute earlier with a curling shot which was just wide.
Young and Urlovic had good chances late in the spell but the first was wide and the second superbly saved by goalkeeper Dan Robinson.
After having a call for a 64th minute penalty turned down, the home side eventually snatched an 85th minute equaliser when Williams was on hand to slot home after City custodian Ross Nicholson had failed to clear a stinging shot from Ross McKenzie, playing his first game for Waikato after leaving City.
After a scoreless first half at Trusts Stadium, Waitakere completed their second win over Manawatu this season with goals from the two Daniels - Kopricvic and Ellensohn.
With solid games at the back from Graham Pearce and goalie Michael Utting, runaway golden boot leader Benjamin Totori rarely threatened.
"Today the boys stood up and were more than counted," said Cain later. "They showed they deserve to lead the competition against the best team we have come up against so far.
"The work-rate was first class and I thought the goals were quality."
Cain's counterpart Shane Rufer, rueing a second loss and both without scoring against United this season, was far from happy.
"We were poor today. Too many players had an off day," said Rufer.
In Christchurch, Canterbury ran in three first-half goals to rock Wellington.
The points were shared in Dunedin as late goals left Otago United and Hawkes Bay United locked at 1-1.