Wellington will take a one-goal cushion to Auckland next weekend after a thrilling 3-2 win over Waitakere United in the first leg of their New Zealand Football Championship football semifinal here today.

Wellington were 2-0 ahead inside 13 minutes after Greg Draper flashed home a header from an Andy Barron near post corner before All Whites midfielder Barron broke clear of the Waitakere defence to slot past Waitakere goalkeeper Danny Robinson.

Waitakere hit back just five minutes later when Benjamin Totori waltzed through the Wellington defence to score the first of what could yet be two vital away goals. Draper restored Wellington's two-goal margin in the 56th minute with a superb strike from 30m out as the home side clung to their lead.

Allan Pearce cut Wellington's lead in half when he powered a header past goalkeeper James Bannatyne from a corner midway through the second half.

Auckland City will also take two valuable away goals home next weekend and have the lead after a 2-1 win over Canterbury United in Christchurch today.

Veteran defender Gareth Rowe gave Canterbury a dream start when he bundled the ball over the line after Auckland goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley had parried a Matt Boyd effort after just seven minutes.

But Auckland bounced back from the early setback when Jason Hayne headed the minor premiers' level from a James Pritchett cross in the 20th minute.

Auckland then capitalised on a Canterbury defensive error 10min later when Daniel Koprivcic scored to give the visitors the lead.

Canterbury now need to inflict a rare 2-0 home defeat on Auckland City in the return leg to progress to the April 25 grand final while Waitakere have a more complicated task.

Wellington have scored eight goals in three games against Waitakere this season and will be confident ahead of the return leg.

A win or draw will see Wellington through to their first grand final since 2008.