Tauranga City's indifferent form in the NRFL Division One continued on Saturday with a 3-0 defeat at home to Waiheke United.

After an even opening 45 minutes, second-half goals from Marc Evans and Ramiro Cabeza Vilar, who chipped in with a brace, did the damage at Links Avenue.

Both sides had chances to break the deadlock before the interval, and City could have taken the lead when Andy Carter's well-struck shot forced a smart save.

Jay Silcock also came close to opening the scoring for the Sky Blues after good work from Nils Winistörfer, but his effort at the far post failed to find the back of the net.

Waiheke created a couple of good chances themselves, and City stopper Tom Pamment was kept busy behind centre-backs Raymond How and Ben Donald.

The game's turning point, however, saw Tauranga central midfielder Sam O'Regan sent off for a second bookable offence, and the visitors took full advantage within three minutes of the restart when Cabeza Vilar put the islanders ahead.

With confidence coursing through the side, Waiheke pushed forward in numbers and killed the game of with two further goals in the space of four minutes.

Evans seemingly made the tie safe to put United 2-0 up before Cabeza Villa notched his second of the game.

City made a late push on the counter, brining on Riley Bidois and Josh Nelson, but Waiheke ran out comfortable winners.

The result leaves Tauranga in eighth place in the Lotto NRFL Division One table. With nine matches played, they have won two, drawn two and lost five.

Tauranga City 0 Waiheke United 3 (Ramiro Cabeza Vilar 48, 67, Marc Evans 63)