YoungHeart Manawatu has ended Auckland City’s hopes of completing the New Zealand Football Championship season unbeaten after they defeated the minor premiers 4-1 at Kiwitea Street today.

Goals by Campbell Banks, Takayuki Omi and a brace by Vanuatu international striker Seule Soromon, helped lift YoungHeart Manawatu into sixth place and saw Soromon clinch the NZFC Golden Boot outright with eleven goals in twelve games.

The 4-1 result is Auckland City’s biggest ever loss in the NZFC and their widest margin of defeat in a competitive match at Kiwitea Street. The victory also marked YoungHeart’s first ever away triumph over Auckland City.

With the first leg of the NZFC semi-finals just two days away, Auckland City fielded a youthful team with a raft of youngsters handed opportunities to impress.

15-year-old Tim Payne (pictured) became the youngest player ever to start an NZFC match for the club and his 55th minute equaliser also made him Auckland City’s youngest ever goalscorer.

The match also marked the 100th NZFC career appearance for Auckland City's loyal South African striker Grant Young.

With the chance of an unbeaten run now gone, Auckland City’s focus turns toward the semi-final first leg match with Canterbury United at English Park on Sunday afternoon.

Auckland coach Paul Posa will recall All White’s midfielder Chad Coombes, Ki-Hyung Lee, Jason Hayne, Matt Williams, Ian Hogg, James Pritchett, Adam Dickinson, Greg Uhlmann and Daniel Koprivcic to his line-up as the club seeks its fifth NZFC Grand Final berth.