Wanderers’ defeat was a shock because not only was it their first loss of the season, but they went down against a side which until Saturday had a meagre four points after 12 games. Palmerston North Marist still have a mathematical chance of winning the league title if they beat Wanderers at home next weekend – but Havelock North will have to also lose another game to enable the locals to nab the title ahead of them. Time is also running out for Palmerston North Marist, who after Wanderers only have two more games. Marist and Thistle were locked at 2-2 at halftime, with goals for the Palmerston North side coming from Melvin Rumere and Nick Carrick.