Auckland have escaped with a 30-27 win over Tasman in their National Provincial Championship showdown at Eden Park on Saturday.
In the dying moments of the contest, flanker Blake Gibson reached out to dot down under the crossbar to secure a win that will go a long way towards ensuring his side clinch a home quarter-final.
The hosts struck first through AJ Lam, who latched on to a delicate grubber by Bryce Heem.
Ten minutes later, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck snuck over from a close-range ruck, before Sione Havili Talitui opened the Mako's account.
Macca Springer cashed in on a rampaging burst by Levi Aumua to give Tasman their first lead, with Harry Plummer stepping up to nail a penalty to put Auckland's noses in front 17-15 at the break.
The Mako took control early in the second half, with Fetuli Paea capping off a sustained period of pressure to edge his team back into the lead.
In the 62nd minute, Springer outpaced the cover defence to cross in the corner for his second try of the day, pushing Tasman out to a 27-20 lead.
Plummer's penalty reduced the scoreboard gap to four points, before a sustained try-line assault saw Gibson power over for the match-winning try.
Auckland now head to Christchurch to face old foes Canterbury on Friday, while Tasman head home to face Northland next Saturday.
In earlier action, Canterbury continued their charge with an action-packed 44-39 win over Counties Manukau in their clash at Pukekohe.
The southerners ran in six tries to Counties' five to record their fifth straight win and seal their playoffs spot, moving them 15 points clear atop the Evens Conference.
The contest exploded into life early with some expansive play resulting in a flurry of points in both directions.
Counties seized control early courtesy of some stand-out halfback Cameron Roigard, who had a hand in tries to Sam Tuifua and Alex McRobbie.
Canterbury kept pace with a brace to Brodie McAlister, who capitalised on a couple of clinical rolling mauls.
The Punivai brothers combined for some slick outside work to put Isaiah over in the corner, giving the visitors a 23-18 lead at the halftime interval.
Ngane Punivai had his turn to get amongst the tries in opening the second-half scoring, latching on to a grubber by first-five Ferghus Burke after his forwards had won a tighthead at a scrum.
Flanker Tom Christie snuck through a gap from close range just a few minutes later to extend the Canterbury lead out to 37-18 with a quarter to play.
But Counties weren't content to roll over, striking back with tries to Tevita Ofa and AJ Alatimu to cut the deficit to just five points with 10 minutes to play.
That hope was shortlived, however, as Rameka Pohipi set Dallas McLeod away with a superb cutout pass to give the Cantabrians a 12-point advantage.
Esau Filimoehala ran in a try with time expired to give the locals one final reason to cheer, cashing in on a blockbusting run by to earn his side a couple of bonus points.
Canterbury return home to face old rivals Auckland on Friday, while Counties Manukau take on Taranaki away on Wednesday.
Auckland 30 (Lam, Tuivasa-Sheck, Gibson, Choat tries, Funaki con, Plummer con, 2 pens, Hickey con) Tasman 27 (Springer 2, Havili Talitui, Paea, Havili 2 cons, pen)
Canterbury 44 ( McAlister 2, I. Punivai, N. Punivai, Christie, McLeod, Fihaki con, Burke 3 cons, 2 pens) Counties Manukau 39 (Tuifua, McRobbie, Ofa, Alatimu, Filimoehala tries, Hohepa 4 cons, 2 pens)
