KEY POINTS:
Waitakere United's good fortune off the field spilled over on to it in Palmerston North yesterday when they beat YoungHeart Manawatu 1-0 to leap three points clear at the top of the New Zealand Football Championship.
In a keenly contested affair played in good spirit but difficult conditions,
former Manawatu striker Commins Menapi scored the goal that mattered for his new club 15 minutes from time.
Playing with the strong wind in the second spell, the visitors grabbed their only clear chance when Menapi gathered and, on the turn just inside the penalty area, hit home to end Manawatu's unbeaten start to the season.
The six points Waitakere have collected in the past seven days might prove a godsend.
NZS chief executive Graham Seatter has already said that should a second Oceania Champions League place become available, the NZFC team on top after the first seven games will be handed the bonus spot.
Much could, however, depend on the result of Auckland City's appeal - due today - in which they will contend they should not have been stripped of the three points they won in beating Waitakere eight days ago.
The hangover from that call obviously affected the City players as they took time to settle against unsung Waikato FC at Kiwitea St on Saturday and found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline after just 16 minutes.
The visitors' first goal, after some sloppy defence, allowed the ball to run to Brad Scott. He played it square along the edge of the penalty area to Michael Mayne who smartly buried it.
Four minutes later Solomon Islander Godwin Bebeu ran into space. He failed in his attempt to chip City goalkeeper Ross Nicholson but as the ball was palmed down Matt Williams pounced and scored.
After half chances for Keryn Jordan, Paul Seaman, Jonathan Smith and Grant Young, Bryan Little eventually, after 37 minutes, got City under way when he volleyed home a useful Jordan cross.
Two minutes later City folk hero Grant Young tied it up when he angled home the equaliser.
The Kiwitea St faithful had by then been given an early look at Japanese star Teruo Iwamoto - on in the 26th minute for injured Riki van Steeden. The former international and A-League hero quickly showed out as a player of undoubted skill with a left foot as good as any seen here.
The second half produced few even half chances but, sadly, a rash of unnecessary yellow cards as referee Gabriel Streza lost his way.
The heart-breaker for the gallant visitors came 13 seconds into added time when substitute Paul Urlovic played a good ball in and Little headed it down and away from goalkeeper Danny Robinson.
Team Wellington and Canterbury United played out a scoreless draw at Newtown Park while in Napier, visitors Otago United won 2-0 after leading by one at the break.
In this week's feature game, Auckland City are away to Canterbury United.