Waitakere United like to play music at their home games and it wouldn't have been a surprise if they pulled out The Rolling Stones' ditty Winning Ugly yesterday.
The home side produced one of their worst performances of the season but it was still one that netted threepoints and took them to the top of the NZFC table on goal difference.
Auckland City should reclaim the lead today when they host an Otago side that has won only twice all season. Regardless, the league title and, crucially, direct entry to the O-League could well be decided when the two meet next Sunday in what is bound to be another feisty encounter.
Wellington remain in the mix after a 1-0 win over Waikato yesterday and are still three points behind the Auckland sides.
Waitakere, who were missing eight players through injury, international duty and holidays, dominated for long periods but lacked a cutting edge up front without Benjamin Totori.
Canterbury were a vast improvement on the one that lost 9-1 the last time these two sides played but there was still a significant gulf between the two sides.
In saying that, Canterbury striker Gareth Turnbull could well have had a hat-trick by halftime but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing kept them scoreless.
At the other end, Waitakere hit the upright three times in one 20-second spell with shots from Jonathan Perry, Commins Menapi and Jake Butler.
Menapi grabbed the game's only goal two minutes after the restart when he stabbed home from close range but they should have scored more to put the game beyond doubt and take pressure off a defence hoping for an easier time of it.
"It was pretty ugly but three points against Canterbury is the same as three points against Auckland City," Hay said. "I wish it could have been a little prettier and scored a few more goals but we'll take the points.
"We're aware of how easy it is to slip up [against lower sides] because we have already done it a couple of times this season."
