However, they will feel hard done by conceding the equaliser in the fourth minute of added time, when Northern substitute Nick Brett rose to head powerfully into the bottom corner past Wānaka keeper Josh Shackleton.
Wānaka coach Thomas Van Hees was left frustrated after not claiming the three points in what was arguably one of Wānaka’s most complete performances of the season.
The first half was an even, scrappy contest with Shackleton producing a stunning diving save to keep the scores level at the break.
The game opened up significantly after halftime, with Wānaka pinning Northern back and creating a number of clear-cut chances.
The breakthrough came in the 57th minute when Dom Plimmer’s skill created the space to cut the ball back for Dillan Kahale to score who finished coolly to make it 1-0.
Northern responded with a spell of sustained pressure, but Wānaka’s defence held firm and the home side pushed for a second goal that would have put the game to bed.
However, with just two minutes remaining in injury time, Brett’s well-placed header denied Wānaka all three points.
Yesterday John Reynolds scored a first-half hat-trick to help Nelson Suburbs to a 4-0 halftime lead against Dunedin City Royals at Tahuna Park.
Jacob Fielding pulled one back in the 78th minute, but it was not enough as Suburbs ran out 4-1 winners.
Cashmere Tech continue to romp away at the top of the league with a 4-0 win over Ferrymead Bays, Coastal Spirit beat Selwyn 5-0 with Nomads and Christchurch United battling out a 0-0 draw.
In the Southern Premier League leaders Northern Hearts solidified their place at the top of the league without playing a match as the second and third teams — Mosgiel and University — both lost.
Old Boys beat University 2-0 as they applied pressure and pinned the students back with the breakthrough coming on 39 minutes when Jayden Dawson crossed for Will Fleming to head home.
The second goal came 12 minutes from time, with Fleming on the left whipping in a perfect ball behind the defence for Matthew Lamont to run on to and finish.
With 90 minutes up on the clock Queens Park were facing a 3-2 defeat to Mosgiel. However, with five additional minutes being played the home side first equalised when Rodrigo de Schmidt de Camargo rose the highest to head a free kick into the net and then, in two more additional minutes, an inswinging corner was headed back across Mosgiel’s goal for Calem Castle to sweep home the winner in an epic 4-3 victory.
Roslyn’s defence held firm with a 3-0 win over Green Island. Kaspa Grunwell’s goal on 60 minutes was bookended by a Nathan Wilkie brace — putting him on five for the season so far.
Northern and Dunedin City Royals drew 1-1 with Mike Neaverson’s second half goal cancelling out Northern’s 23rd minute opener from Israel Garcia-Martin.
In the Women’s Southern League Georgia Keen and Georgia Nixon both scored hat-tricks, while Ruby Burgess added one as the Dunedin City Royals routed NW United 7-0.
Lucy Dermody scored late for Roslyn Wakari, but it was not enough as they were edged 2-1 by Coastal Spirit in Christchurch.
Otago University and Cashmere Tech played out a goalless draw, also in Christchurch.
