Northern Hearts pushed by Timaru City in South Canterbury football league
Timaru Herald. Reporter:CHRIS HYDE

Northern Hearts survived a nervy final 10 minutes against Timaru City to remain at the top of the South Canterbury Football League after two rounds.

Hot on their heels are unbeaten Meadowbank who edged Thistle 2-1 in a high-quality match, while West End and Timaru Boys' High School also recorded wins.

Hearts were coming off a 10-0 demolition of Boys' High and were expected to win easily against Timaru City at Aorangi Park on Saturday.

Instead they found themselves in a scrap as City played some quality football against the defending champions to almost steal a point.

Kevin McLaughlin netted his fourth in two games for Hearts and when Rowan Hewson made it 2-0 the heads of Timaru City could easily have dropped.

Instead they took it to Hearts and had their reward in the 67th minute when Russian Nasy Khynku found a way past the goalkeeper.

Both sides had four or five guilt-edged chances but Hearts, who play Otago club Grants Braes at Aorangi in the opening round of the Chatham Cup on Monday, held out for the win.