Tasman end City’s unbeaten run

Tasman United brought Auckland City’s unbeaten run in the national men’s football league to an end yesterday, boosting their top-four hopes in the process.

New Caledonian international Jean Philippe-Saiko struck five minutes into stoppage time to give the hosts a 2-1 win at Trafalgar Park, Nelson, that left them level on points with fourth-placed Eastern Suburbs.

Centre back Fox Slotemaker had given Tasman the lead just before halftime, but Tom Doyle responded almost immediately for

City, who were looking to avoid defeat for the 15th match in a row.

Hamilton Wanderers also have 19 points, after striking late to beat Waitakere United on Saturday.

The match at Porritt Stadium, Hamilton, had been abandoned in

early December with Waitakere United leading early in the second half, and they looked set to claim a win here, leading 2-1 as the match headed past the 90-minute mark.

Xavier Pratt scored Wanderers’ equaliser, three minutes into stoppage time, and George Ott got the winner.

Second-placed Team Wellington put some space between themselves and Waitakere while closing in on City, beating Canterbury United 2-1 on Sunday at English Park, in Christchurch.

New signing Joao Moreira – a former City player – came off the bench to give them the lead with 20 minutes to play.

Aaron Clapham blew a chance to equalise from the spot three minutes later, with Scott Basalaj making a fine save. Rory McKeown doubled Team Wellington’s lead with 10 to go, but Tom Schwarz pulled one back from a corner, setting up a tense finish.