10-man Junior Navy Blues snatch point
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Moses Akimana sees red but Auckland City FC's National Youth League title hopes remain alive after tempestuous 1-1 draw with Hamilton Wanderers.
The Junior Navy Blues were on the backfoot for tracts of this match and fell behind after just 14 minutes when Sean Skeens popped up with a timely finish early in the game at St Peters College in Epsom.
Skeens then had shouts for a second half penalty turned down before Wanderers gave themselves a big chance to double their lead on the hour mark only for the Junior Navy Blues to make a crucial goal line clearance.
Tempers frayed badly when Junior Navy Blues player Moses Akimana was shown a red card for a harsh challenge on an opponent three minutes later.
AUDIO - Andy Peat
As the match threatened to boil over Auckland City FC snatched a lifeline when Jack Anderson gave the home side the equaliser with a brilliant long range goal midway through the second half.
Wanderers, who held a two point lead over Auckland City FC and Waitakere United going into this game, will be satisfied with a draw that puts them in a commanding position in the title race.
They next face the Wellington Phoenix at home where a victory would leave them facing winless Hawke's Bay United in their final match of the season and on 22 points.
Auckland City FC tackle Waitakere United at home next up in another do-or-die clash where anything less than three points would bring the curtain down on their pursuit of a fifth National Youth League title.
Ends
Match Result
National Youth League
Sunday 4 December, 2016
Auckland City FC 1 (Jack Anderson 65')
Hamilton Wanderers 1 (Sean Skeens 14')
Halftime: 0-1
Red card - Moses Akimana (AC) 63'
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 8 | 24 |
| 2 |  | WS | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 10 | 24 |
| 3 |  | BU | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 10 | 22 |
| 4 |  | ES | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 11 | 18 |
| 5 |  | AU | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 11 | 15 |
| 6 |  | BO | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 18 | 15 |
| 7 |  | MN | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 22 | 17 | 13 |
| 8 |  | TC | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 23 | 13 |
| 9 |  | WR | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 24 | 5 |
| 10 |  | EB | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 3 |
| 11 |  | MU | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 36 | 3 |
| 12 |  | HW | 9 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 29 | 2 |
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