Canterbury United's 2-1 win over Waitakere United has thrown the playoff chase wide open, as Auckland City and Team Wellington grabbed vital points in the ASB football Premiership.
Waitakere United's defeat to third placed Canterbury leaves both teams tied on 12 points each with only the West Aucklanders superior goal difference keeping them above the red and blacks on the ladder.
Team Wellington, boosted earlier this week when they were handed a 2-0 win for Otago United's breach of player eligibility regulations back in October, climbed into playoff contention with a comfortable 2-nil win over eighth placed Manawatu.
Otago United dropped to fifth despite pushing a jaded Auckland City all the way in a tense encounter at Kiwitea Street before eventually losing 3-nil.
The win means Auckland City finish the calendar year top of the ASB Premiership with a 100% winning record.
In Hamilton, the match between Waikato FC and Hawke's Bay United was postponed after a torrential downpour left the Porritt Stadium surface unplayable.
The ASB Premiership restarts on the weekend of January the 14th.
