A spectacular goal by national player Keammar Daley was not enough to give Tivoli Gardens a rare second-round win as they drew 1-1 with Boys’ Town at Collie Smith Drive in their Digicel Premier League game yesterday.

Daley had given Tivoli Gardens a 43rd minute lead with a wonder goal from 30 metres after he shrugged off Daemon Benjamin, disposed of Asrick Samuels before deftly lobbing goalkeeper Kirk Porter.

It was Daley’s fourth goal of the season, and what a beauty it was. But the home team roared back and Benjamin slotted home in the 89th minute after a corner kick fell nicely into his path to tie the game.

Champions Tivoli Gardens inched to 32 points to stay ahead of St Georges on 31 points who drew 0-0 with Sporting Central Academy at Brancourt. However, Tivoli can be overtaken by Harbour View on 30 points, in the late kickoff against Portmore United. A win for Harbour View would see them regaining top spot on 33 points.

Back at the Collie Smith Drive, Boys’ Town who were trying to close the gap on the leaders only had themselves to blame after missing a couple of clearcut chances.

The ‘Red Brigade’ stayed in fourth spot on 27 points, still five behind Tivoli Gardens, but could have been a lot closer had they taken their chances.

It is a mystery to some football watchers how veteran striker Oneil McDonald, who is approaching his late 30s, is still able to claim a starting spot in the Boys’ Town line-up, and for a title-chasing team at that.

In one of his offensive cock-ups, McDonald did well to steal the ball from a defender, and with only the goalkeeper Julian McLeish to beat, his tame shot went straight into the waiting arms of the grateful goalie. Based on what he has shown this season, it’s clear the former Jamaica striker is way past his best.

And in the 80th minute, wing back Xavean Virgo had a chance for the home team, but blasted over the crossbar from close range.

But as much as Boys’ Town wasted their chances, they could have paid the price had Tivoli’s Owen Powell converted from close range with four minutes remaining.

In the end a 1-1 draw might have been the best result for both teams in a gruelling contest between two arch-rivals.

Teams:

Boys’ Town — Kirk Porter, Wayne Ellis, Shawn McKoy, Daemion Benjamin (Dwayne Forde 79th), Xavean Virgo, Asrick Samuels, Michael Campbell, Anthony Bennett, George Vernal, Shane Edwards (Romondo Johnson 64th), Oneil McDonald (Dean Thompson 54th).

Subs not used: Robert Scott, Andre Wheeler, Philmore Crumbie

Booked: Bennett (8th), Vernal (57th), McKoy (68th), Ellis (82nd)

Tivoli Gardens — Julian McLeish, Kemar Flemmings, Victor Thompson, Kasai Hinds, Christopher Jackson, Keammar Daley, Jerry Walters, Steve Green, Jameel Thompson (Horace Sharpe 72nd), Jermaine Allen (Dane Kelly 70th), Owen Powell.

Subs not used: Edsel Scott, Michael Blygen, Rupert Murray, Owen Gordon, Jermaine Ricketts

Booked: Hinds (38th), Green (36th)

Referee: Valdin Ledgister

Assistants: Ricardo Morgan, Keble Williams

Fourth Official: Wilverglen Lamey

Match Commissary: Anthony Cooke

Assessor: Victor Stewart