Southern United has had a grim season but one bright spark has been the attacking form shown by striker Tom Jackson.
Jackson, who leads Southern into a clash with Hawkes Bay in Dunedin tomorrow, is still in the hunt for Golden Boot honours, despite living on crumbs of ball possession.
The Caversham striker has scored eight goals in 13 matches, and is second equal in the ASB Premiership scoring list after leader Tyler Boyd, who is on 10 goals.
Jackson is no ''seagull' who conserves energy up front. He has done all the harrying of opposition defenders asked of him by coach Mike Fridge, and his giant throw-ins have been as good as attacking corner kicks for Southern.
A mark of his standing in the team was his appointment as captain by Fridge, after the loss of midfielder Victor da Costa. Possibly Jackson can inject some of his vitality into his side during the remaining three matches of the season.
There was no shortage of vitality and aggression last week against Wellington, when Southern could lay claim to having deserved a share of the spoils.
At last the team balance looked correct with defenders Craig Ferguson and Cam Attwood spreading calm, Jackson leading the line with style, and Andrew Ridden making some excellent forays forward, partnered by George Milne, Tim McLennan, William McIntyre and Nick Hindson.
But near-misses and shots cleared off the line denied Southern its share of the points, and now there are only three matches left to gain improvement.
It looks like a spiralling downwards finish for both South Island teams, as the season draws to a close.
Southern United is bottom by a hefty margin (seven points), and Canterbury United is second from bottom.
In their first seasons in the top league, Fridge and Canterbury's Sean Devine, started well, but recent form has seen both Southern and Canterbury fluttering towards the competition's basement.
Initial wins over Waitakere and Canterbury gave Southern six points from three matches, but it has had nine losses and a draw in its last 10 games.
There have been some spirited performances from Southern, but also lots of goals conceded. Shipping 35 goals in 13 matches - almost three goals per game - makes winning almost impossible.
Taking over from original Canterbury coach Keith Braithwaite was not easy for Devine, either, and his side is also battling, despite having the depth and resources of a much larger city.
Another blow to Canterbury football is the resignation of boss Mike Coggan, who is to replace Ross Dykes at the helm of Otago cricket.
For Southern United, the focus will be on trying to finish the season with a flourish, starting tomorrow against a Hawkes Bay side that has lost only four matches this season.
