The side fought out a 2-2 draw with the Wellington Phoenix Reserves at Westpac Stadium, scoring two goals in the final quarter of the game to come away with the draw.
It was two well-taken goals by striker Garbhan Coughlan that got Southern United the point after it was staring defeat in the face in the early stages of the second half.
Southern United coach Paul O’Reilly said the side changed things around just before the hour mark.
"We were pretty terrible there for the first 55 minutes. Probably our worst performance of the season. We were 2-0 down and didn’t look to have a chance," he said.
"But we worked hard, got a bit more ball and then managed to get the two goals. We switched it round, changed our tactics and it worked out for us. I think it is a point gained for us, really, after the start we had."
He said the team changed its shape and became more direct.
The side had made a poor start and had less than 30% of possession in the first half. All the ball was with the home team and Southern United spent a lot of time chasing shadows.
O’Reilly said the travel might have been a factor — the team journeyed to the capital on the day of the game — while the injuries were catching up with the side.
Playing on the big stadium pitch was also tough for some of the players, he said.
Southern United was a distant second for much of the first half and conceded the early dreaded goal.
Phoenix midfielder Sam Philip made a nice run into the penalty box and was clipped from behind by Omar Guardiola.
The resultant penalty was slotted home by captain Alex Rufer.
The Phoenix had all the running in the first half, although Coughlan found himself free in front of goal but pushed it wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Going into the break 1-0 down, the visiting team made a terrible start to the second half when former Dunedin boy James McGarry slotted the ball past Liam Little as he got in behind the defence.
Andrew Ridden had come on for Southern at halftime and he started getting the ball more.
Coughlan’s first goal came when a long throw from Guardiola found Coughlan unmarked and he tucked the ball in the right-hand corner.
Just over 10 minutes later, on the 82nd minute mark, United got its equaliser. The ball came free after a shot from Guardiola was blocked but was then laid off to Coughlan, and he calmly turned and scored.
United now had the ascendancy but could not find the winner, a header from Guardiola the closest it got.
The side will take on Hamilton Wanderers in Hamilton next Sunday and is hopeful key forward Danny Furlong will be back from injury for the game.
Premiership
The scores
Southern United 2
Garbhan Coughlan 71’, 82’
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 2
Alex Rufer pen 8’, James McGarry 46’
Halftime: 1-0 Wellington
