Just three points cover the top three teams, after Caversham (23) and Dunedin Technical (22) battled to a 2-2 draw at Logan Park on Saturday.
The draw means both of those teams really dropped two points each in the title race while, at Memorial Park, the resounding 6-0 win of third placed Mosgiel (20) over Northern has the Plainsmen in a handy position with a game in hand.
Playing on the large grounds prepared for Fifa Under 20 World Cup training matches at Logan Park, there was space for expansive play, and the ground surface encouraged some clever interpassing.
The negative aspect was a swirling wind that continually changed direction as Caversham played for the most part into the turbulence, and yet gained early advantage with ball possession and seven corners to Technical's two in the first half.
Technical was more direct, and runs from Tim McLennan and Taylor McCormack fed target man Josh Stewart, leaving Caversham's Rhys Henderson and Jude Fitzpatrick working hard to plug gaps.
In the 24th minute, Stewart took advantage of some Caversham hesitation as a possible hand ball occurred, and even his shot took a slight deflection to beat Darryl Putt and create a 1-0 scoreline.
Caversham responded by taking over midfield, with Andrew Ridden and Seamus Ryder winning ball and spreading passes, yet the potency of both Tom and Lewis Jackson was contained by Matt Joy's Technical backline.
McCormack doubled Technical's scoreline with a trademark spinning turn and shot in one movement for a 2-0 lead that should have been comfortably defended.
It was the deceptive running of Lewis Jackson that created a glimmer of hope, as the slender striker weaved past defenders, and eventually goalkeeper Tom Batty, to shoot Caversham back into the reckoning.
The keepers were called on to make saves as both sides cranked up pressure and, as time started to run out, a Craig Ferguson pass was read expertly by Tom Jackson, who leaped high to head in a well taken equaliser.
Both coaches were exasperated at the final whistle. Technical player coach Burgess was disappointed at squandering a two goal lead, and Caversham's Tim Horner was concerned with some critical refereeing decisions that cost his side dearly.
No frustration, however, in Mosgiel's rampant win over Northern, despite several first choice players, including Eder Franchini, being absent.
A hat trick by Regan Coldicott highlighted the top quality play that Mosgiel generated at Memorial Park.
Cody Brook was both a provider and a finisher with two goals. Rahan Ali was another hub of delivery and was involved in an intricate passing movement from which Matt Kelly drilled in a brilliant header to take Mosgiel's goal tally to 29 in nine games.
Against a lively Green Island side, Roslyn Wakari steadily racked up a 3-0 win, with goals from Cam Attwood, Rupert Mark and a diving header by Blair Bates, at Logan Park
