Auckland’s grip on top spot of the A-League Men appears increasingly shaky after crumbling in a 2-2 draw with the crisis-stricken Central Coast Mariners.
Steve Corica’s side sit top - one point clear of second-placed Newcastle - but have just one win in their past five games.
After Jesse Randall gave Auckland a 12th-minute lead at Go Media Stadium, the Kiwi side looked set to exploit one of the biggest mismatches in the ALM.
Auckland are owned by billionaire Bill Foley and have a well-constructed squad that boasts three of the competition’s top five goalscorers.
The Mariners are currently being propped up by the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) after owner Mike Charlesworth gave back his licence to run the club.
But regardless of the Mariners’ off-field turmoil, their rag-tag group of gnarled journeymen and talented youngsters put up an admirable fight on Saturday.
Oli Lavale drew the Mariners level just before halftime and was the hero of the hour, cancelling out Sam Cosgrove's goal in the 89th minute to secure a valuable draw.
“I'm disappointed with a point at home. It should be three points and we should be a lot happier than what we are," Corica said.
Corica would no doubt be seething that his side, who should have finished the first half 5-0 up, couldn’t land a killer blow.
Guillermo May set up Randall in the 12th minute but the Uruguayan’s composure left a lot to be desired.
After Lachlan Brook and Cosgrove had efforts saved by Andrew Redmayne, May then butchered a three-on-one situation on the counter.
“I think we had enough chances to win that game in the first half, but that always is the situation if you don't take the chances," Corica said.
“Mistakes also cause goals, and we made enough mistakes for them to score two goals. 'Redders' made some great saves but also some of the decision making and when to pass or shoot.
"When you’ve got a 3 v 1 - you have to make more of it.”
As halftime drew near, Auckland’s inefficiency in front of goal came back to bite them.
Against the run of play - and with just his side’s first shot on target - Lavale converted to draw the Mariners level.
Cosgrove rose above James Donachie and headed past Redmayne to put Auckland back in front in the 58th minute and the Kiwi side looked to have enough about them to see out the final half an hour without issue.
But just as the fourth official was about to indicate added time, Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud fumbled a cross on his goal-line.
Lavale was in the right place at the right time and nudged the ball over the line to give the Mariners a share of the spoils.
“Oli has come in and hit the ground running,” said Mariners coach Warren Moon.
“There’s no doubt we rode our luck but we have a goalkeeper (in Redmayne) who pulled us out of the fire when we needed him and he’s a big part of why we’re fighting so hard.”
