It created enough chances and eventually it made one count.
An 86th-minute penalty from Amy Hislop continued Southern United's winning start to the national women's league in Cambridge yesterday.
It handed the side a 1-0 win over WaiBOP, maintaining its perfect record and moving to six points.
Southern head coach Ignacio Sande had been very happy with the performance.
The side was without four front-line players in captain Mikaela Hunt, Shontelle Smith, Jordan Woodward and Rose Morton.
Yet it showed its depth to pick up an away win against what he dubbed a ''tough team''.
Southern was impressive in the first half and created several good opportunities.
However, it was unable to turn those into goals.
WaiBOP keeper Georgia Candy was outstanding throughout, Sande going as far as calling her the best player on the pitch.
She held Southern out, including saving a first-half penalty from Hislop to keep the game scoreless at halftime.
However, Southern lifted its attack in the final 20 minutes.
It moved the ball well and began to create chances.
Eventually Ruby Anderson was brought down in the box in the 85th minute, giving Hislop the chance to redeem herself.
She managed to do just that, as Southern finally put one past Candy to secure the three points.
It was a result that left Sande pleased, although he was just as thrilled with the performance.
''We're happy with how we played and the opportunities we created,'' he said.
''It's good to see when you've got four important players missing that the team keeps performing and is competitive.
''That's a good thing, I guess.''
In other games Canterbury United also remained perfect with a 4-0 win over Central in Christchurch.
The Northern Lights claimed a win in their season opener against Capital 2-0 in Auckland.
Auckland had a bye.
Southern plays Northern in Invercargill next week.
