It just was not Otago United's day yesterday as it went down 3-2, courtesy of a late winner by Benjamin Totori.
Both Tom Jackson and Otago captain Andy Coburn were red-carded by referee Wayne Scott, who also dished out six disciplinary cautions to Otago, while Waitakere received just one.
Each side was also awarded a penalty, but home supporters did not appreciate Waitakere's, which was given in the 67th minute after Totori hurdled his way through a tackle.
Stand-in Otago coach Malcolm Fleming was loath to comment on the match officials, but said they became a major factor as the game progressed, and he was not impressed.
Sunnyvale produced conditions more akin to winter, with a wet surface which degenerated as rain restarted in the second half.
Fleming said his side did well to climb back into the game after conceding a 10th-minute goal.
Home striker Aaron Burgess scored both Otago's goals, and Fleming said they were superbly taken, especially the free kick, which put the home side into into a 2-1 lead in the second half.
Roy Krishna's opening goal was simple as he timed his run on to a through pass, and slid the ball past keeper Liam Little.
Burgess coolly slotted his penalty, but the free kick he superbly drilled in off the far post had supporters on their feet as Otago took a 49th-minute 2-1 lead.
Waitakere struggled to recapture its first-half fluency, and it took another 18 minutes before Allan Pearce struck home the penalty to tie up the game.
In the dying stages there were several nasty exchanges and Burgess went close to nailing a hat trick when he peeled away from defenders and hit an angled shot that just scraped the Waitakere post.
But Totori produced the match-winner as he found a yard of space and swivelled to shoot his late goal.
Waitakere coach Chris Milicich said the game was a battle but he was happy with the win, which sends his side 10 points clear at the top.
Waitakere United 3 (Roy Krishna, Allan Pearce, Benjamin Totori), Otago United 2 (Aaron Burgess 2) Half-time: 1-1. A freak goal from goalkeeper James Bannatyne helped Wellington take the national league play-off race to the wire with a 3-1 win over Canterbury United yesterday, NZPA reports.
With just one match of the championship remaining, Wellington moved to 20 points with the victory, jumping from sixth to fourth, two points behind Auckland City and Manawatu, which played out a goalless draw on Saturday.
Runaway leader Waitakere United is the only side assured of semifinal football.
The minor premier moved 10 points clear at the top of the table after its 3-2 win in Dunedin.
Waitakere United 3 Otago United 2
