The New Zealand All Whites have played out an unlikely draw with Slovakia in Rustenberg.
Defender Winston Reid scored an equaliser in the last 30 seconds of the match to get an improbable point for the Oceania qualifiers.
Outplayed, but not out gunned the Kiwis battled away throughout the match led by Blackburn and national skipper Ryan Nelsen at the heart of the defence.
Led by Marek Hamsik the Slovakian side had the better opportunities of the match with Manchester City youngster Vladimir Weiss giving the side true momentum up the flanks with fleet of foot and some superb touches.
The Slovakian goal came through a lapse in the All Whites defence just after half time with Robert Vittek taking advantage of some hesitancy at the back by Winston Reid and driving a header into the back of the net.
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Reid would later become the hero when all looked lost after Shane Smeltz wasted what looked like the final opportunity of the match turning a header away from goal.
However Smeltz took the opportunity to make up for the miss with an impressive turn and cross to pick out the surging Reid at the far post.
New Zealand is now equal first in their group alongside Italy and Paraguay who also played out a 1-1 draw.
