Delta Tapware Metro took the overnight lead in the North Island Soccer League on March 20, but they needed a late equaliser from substitute Nigel Curteis to snatch a 1-1 draw with Miramar Rangers at Kiwitea Street.
The 1998 Bluebird Northern Premier League champions enjoyed a plethora of possession throughout this encounter, but penetrating Rangers' rock-solid rearguard proved to be another matter entirely.
Standing in their way more often than not was Nasser Mohammed, an experienced and at times uncompromising defender who, on this occasion, was far and away the most effective player on the park.
He was ably supported in his defensive duties by Rangers' goalkeeper, Angus Campbell, who pulled off some vital saves in this encounter, most notably in the first half from Heath McCormack - this a sweetly struck dipping volley with the outside of his left foot which the 'keeper did well to turn over the crossbar, and Shaun O'Mara's stinging eighteenth minute drive.
Hoani Edwards surprised the goalkeeper with a wickedly struck 34th minute free-kick, only for the ball to strike the underside of the crossbar and bounce back into the field of play, from where O'Mara, following in, volleyed over.
At the other end of the park, New Zealand Under-23 prospect Campbell Banks looked dangerous on the rare occasions when Kara Waetford and Stuart Mair afforded him the opportunity to do so.
He forced a sprawling save from Grant Schofield seven minutes before half-time, and fired wide from a tight angle ten minutes into the second spell, with three Metro opponents, including the goalkeeper, lying prostrate in his wake.
After McCormack had seen Campbell save his 65th minute drive, and the post deny his 71st minute header, which came about courtesy a well-flighted Edwards corner, Banks squeezed the ball home from the tightest of angles thirteen minutes from time, after latching onto a loose ball and winning a speed duel with Waetford and the advancing Schofield.
Four minutes later, Rangers' claims for a penalty were turned away by referee Brian Precious, who was unsighted as Tim Butterfield's inswinging free-kick ricocheted off the hand of Sakdy Phommahaxay to safety.
It looked as though New Zealand's version of the Milan derby would be won by the team wearing a kit not dissimilar to that of Internazionale, but with two minutes remaining, the AC Milan - clad Metro combination conjured up an equaliser through their substitutes.
Inevitably, player-coach Sean Hird was at the heart of it. Clever anticipation saw him intercept a Miramar clearance, before he drew three opponents towards him as he dwelt on the ball. A gap opened up in behind the advancing trio, and into it Hird threaded a pass for Curteis, who timed his run to perfection as he stole in and, under pressure, looped the ball over the head of Campbell and just under the crossbar - 1-1.
Metro could have won it in stoppage time, with McCormack denied at point blank range on two occasions by Campbell, who also foiled Curteis in similar fashion in a last-gasp raid which only the goalkeeper will have any knowledge of how Rangers survived it with their goal still intact!

Metro:  Schofield; Mair, Phommahaxay, Waetford; Collett, Edwards, O'Mara, Perry (Curteis, 83), J. Thompson (Davidson, 83); McCormack, Roberts (Hird, 64).

Miramar: Campbell; Mohammed, Jacobs, Brown; Ede, Butterfield, Payne, Patrick (booked, 89), Adams; Day (Watson, 83), Banks.  Referee: Brian Precious

Arcus Trophy:  Nasser Mohammed, 3; Angus Campbell, 2; Campbell Banks 1.

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