A clear favourite when referee Nadia Browning blew to start the match, Auckland - stacked with internationals - was kept honest by a well-organised home side which challenged for every ball, and threatened an upset by creating several good scoring chances.
Auckland, stung by a loss last week, played a longer passing game, which had FootballSouth keeper Tessa Nicol alertly fielding overhit passes, and centreback Annie Gilchrist and withdrawn midfielder Shontelle Smith battling in the air against the taller Aucklanders.
FootballSouth allowed little space in midfield and, after absorbing Auckland efforts with solid tackling, Kushla Glover, Sam Muirhead and Elise Mamanu-Gray played decent possession football, and unleashed striker Chelsea Whittaker on forays in attack that unsettled the visitors.
FootballSouth briefly lost a player due to a stomach upset in an incident reminiscent of Paula Radcliffe in the London Marathon. The forced toilet stop left a gap Auckland exposed with a swift breakaway, and Becky Hawker put Auckland 1-0 ahead after 18 minutes.
Back to full strength, FootballSouth continued to defend well, and launched shots at the Auckland goal. The best effort by Muirhead was a 30m drive that left keeper Rebecca Rolls pawing thin air, but the ball cannoned off the Auckland crossbar away to safety.
Several other FootballSouth attacks harnessed good crosses aimed at the near post, and keeper Rolls showed bravery and class to dive in among the boots and clear her line.
In the second half, what looked like a good Auckland goal was chalked off after referee assistant Mark Currie signalled the ball had gone out of play in the lead-up. But there was no mistake when Stephanie Trowell scored in the 77th minute to ease the worry lines from Auckland coach Steven Upfold's brow.
''We knew it would not be easy here, and FootballSouth competed very well,'' Upfold said.
''But after losing last week, we needed points on the board, and I'm relieved that we succeeded.''
FootballSouth coaches Dave Martin-Chambers and Sally Hicks were full of praise for their side's staunch effort.
''We played some good controlled football in phases, and who knows how the game might have turned if Sam's long-range shot had gone in?'' Martin-Chambers said.
''It's worth remembering that Auckland had several international players in their side, so while I am not happy with the score, the girls' performances were excellent.''
