AUCKLAND – Ten-man Auckland City scored with 15 seconds remaining to beat Team Wellington 3-2 at Kiwitea Street on Sunday, snatching second place – and a home preliminary final – on a goal-filled final day of the New Zealand Football Championship’s regular season.

The two sides will do it all over again next Saturday for a place in the Grand Final against Waitakere United on April 20, with Keryn Jordan’s winner in the fourth minute of injury time denying Wellington home advantage for the rematch.

The goals flowed around the country as Minor Premiers Waitakere drew 2-2 with Otago, Hawke’s Bay played out the same scoreline with Waikato, and Canterbury were 5-1 winners away to YoungHeart Manawatu.

Auckland’s Sam Campbell stabbed home a loose ball from a poorly cleared corner to open the scoring in the 17th minute but Wellington – who just needed a draw to secure second place – were level almost immediately through Darren Cheriton.

Grant Young put Auckland back in control with an expert finish before halftime but Wellington drew level in the 68th minute in controversial fashion as Raf de Gregorio curled a free kick past Tamati Williams while the keeper was still organising his defensive wall.

Chad Coombes’ red card five minutes from time looked to have settled proceedings before Jordan – who battled his way back to fitness after a cancer operation over Christmas – brought his coach and the home crowd to its feet.

"I’m over the moon," said Auckland coach Colin Tuaa. "Who could ask more than a finish like that and that particular player to score the winner?”

At the Caledonian Gorund, Waitakere United twice came from a goal down to confirm themselves as Minor Premiers – and book a home Grand Final – with a 2-2 draw with Otago United.

Waitakere finish one point ahead of traditional rivals Auckland City, although their superior goal difference had all-but secured the minor title for the second year running last week.

Otago led first through a grass-cutting Aaron Burgess freekick and then via an acrobatic volley from John Chsholm but Waitakere fought back with equalisers from Commins Menapi close to halftime and Tim Myers even closer to full time.

In Palmerston North, Canterbury United hammered YoungHeart Manawatu 5-1 to give themselves a chance of overhauling Otago to get off the foot of the table.

Canterbury were always in control with goals to Michael Fifii, Jamie Smith, Rhodrie Payne, Tom Lancaster, and Gareth Turnbull, but the joy of just their second win of the campaign would have been dampened by the news of Otago’s point against Waitakere keeping the wooden spoon in Christchurch for the winter.

Manawatu’s consolation goal in the 80th minute was Gouzalo Nieres’ 12th strike of the season and gives the Uruguayan marksman a share of the golden boot lead with Wellington’s Graham Little.

Meanwhile in Napier, Steven Holloway twice gave Waikato FC the lead against Hawke’s Bay United but second half goals to Graham Fyfe and Greig Henslee meant the two sides finished level for the third time this season.

Sunday

Auckland City 3 (Sam Campbell 17, Grant Young 39, Keryn Jordan 90+3)

Team Wellington 2 (Darren Cheriton 20, Raf de Gregorio 68)

Halftime 2-1

Hawke’s Bay United 2 (Graham Fyfe 53, Greig Henslee 74)

Waikato FC 2 (Steven Holloway 2, 61)

Halftime: 0-1

YoungHeart Manawatu 1 (Gouzalo Nieres 80)

Canterbury United 5 (Michael Fifii 17, Jamie Smith 21, Rhodri Payne 51 (pen), Tom Lancaster 72, Gareth Turnbull 81)

Halftime: 0-2

Otago United 2 (Aaron Burgess 18, John Chisholm 49)

Waitakere United 2 (Commins Menapi 37, Tim Myers 89)

Halftime: 1-1

Story courtesy of NZF Media. For full story and more visit www.nzsoccer.com