Otago coach Richard Murray had to field a largely experimental team due to injuries and defections, and his young side was not helped by travel arrangements that had the team hanging around for six hours in Christchurch before the match.
"Not the best preparation for a nervous young side facing a team second top of the ASB Premiership, that has scored 20 goals and conceded only two in their last four matches," Murray said.
The White Ribbon Cup supports a campaign to raise awareness of men's violence against women, and is a new competition in the 2011-12 season for clubs not involved in OFC Champions League football.
Yet the cup tie was a good blow out for Murray's Otago team which is still trying to find a solid team shape.
A soft looking sixth-minute Aaron Clapham penalty gave Canterbury its 1-0 advantage in the first half, but Otago battled on and there was no further scoring by halftime.
As the match progressed Otago started to gel.
Seamus Ryder in midfield had his best game this season to earn Otago's Man of the Match award.
Next week, Otago plays Canterbury again, this time in the ASB Premiership, and Murray had one eye on that match which offers valuable competition points.
Striker Ant Hancock is not available next week, so Murray initially had him on the bench, giving Canadian Donnie MacGregor a chance to show his skills, and he did well.
Matt Joy led his defence efficiently against the Canterbury sharpshooters.
In goal Oswaldo Rodriguez took over effectively from regular Peter Evans who was not available.
To keep league top scorer George Slefendorfas contained, was no mean feat.
The Papua New Guinean, who has played professionally in Sweden and Australia, has scored 11 goals.
Close behind, Clapham has eight and Russell Kemo has five goals for a total of 23, compared to Otago's team total of 11 goals.
Geoff MacIntyre increased Canterbury's lead after 72 minutes, and threatened to swamp Otago, but in fact it was a well taken goal by Hancock who came on with 20 minutes to go, that tipped the scales in Otago's direction.
Possibly with the memory of Otago's 5th round 1-0 win earlier this season, Canterbury looked less confident than its league position would have suggested.
"We had nothing to lose, so [we] pushed men forward and had a real go at them," Murray said.
Young Matt Brook came on and in his first match of the season showed real promise.
With Aajay Cunningham and James Govan in full flight, it was Canterbury that was happy to hear the final whistle.
Regarding his makeshift team, Murray said: "All things considered, the lads did very well, and it is another step forward for the younger brigade that will pay off in future."
White Ribbon Cup
The scores
Canterbury: 2 (Aaron Clapham, Geoff MacIntyre)
Otago United: 1 (Ant Hancock)
Halftime: Canterbury 1-0
