Auckland City had all the ball and applied all the pressure.
But the Southern United defence was rarely broken through.
It held strong to secure a 0-0 draw against the national football premiership’s top team at Logan Park Turf on Saturday.
The point was just the fourth won by any team against Auckland City in its last 26 round-robin games.
It was made all the more pleasing for Southern following the 6-1 loss to Team Wellington a week ago.
Auckland City dominated possession.
It held the ball and showed patience as it looked to break down the Southern defence.
However, breaking down that defence proved difficult.
Only once, in the 83rd minute, did it create a clear chance — denied by a brilliant reflexive save by keeper Liam Little.
Aside from that it relied on a handful of longer-range efforts from Logan Rogerson and former Dunedin player Cameron Howieson.
Southern was happy to let Auckland hold the ball, doing most of its attacking on the counter.
It had a handful of chances itself, although holding the ball for long periods proved difficult.
Only once in the first half did it really threaten the goal — a cross from Garbhan Coughlan being fumbled on the save by Conor Tracey.
Joel Stevens had the best chance of the second half, his 62nd minute shot going across the goal face.
It took Auckland City until the final 10 minutes to genuinely have the Southern defence hanging on.
Aside from the shot which forced Little’s save, it had several others go close as it forced corner after corner.
But Southern held on for a point, leaving coach Paul O’Reilly ecstatic.
"I think with the performance we did we absolutely deserved a point," he said.
"Some people would say we didn’t do enough with possession, but I think we deserved a point for the work rate.
"But also intelligent defending — that wasn’t luck today, that was really intelligent defending across the board.
"So delighted with that result."
He said Auckland City was a quality side with big-budget internationals all over the park.
Responding to last week’s thrashing against such a strong side had been pleasing.
"I think lesser groups would have just crumbled today and conceded five or six.
"I’ve said over and over, we don’t have the biggest budget down here — on paper we don’t have the most talented team.
"But I thought our resolve and our work ethic today was just phenomenal."
The team now takes a break over Christmas.
Its next game is on January 11 against the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the capital.
