CAVALIER inched closer to top-flight football next season after assuming top spot despite battling to a 1-1 draw with Meadows in the JFF Confederation play-offs yesterday at Ferdie Neita Park.

Cavalier, who started the day in second spot on seven points, now lead the standing with eight — one ahead of both Reno and Benfica, with Meadows bringing up the rear with five points with a round remaining.

The diminutive Locksley Thompson gave Cavalier a 49th-minute lead against the run of play before Sicaun Scott earned a share of the points for Meadows in the 65th.

With the two top teams qualifying for the Digicel Premier League for next season, only three points separate first-placed Cavalier, on eight, from bottom-placed Meadows, on five.

Cavalier, who last played Premier League football in 1996, looked on their way back up after the diminutive Thompson latched onto a beauty of a pass from playmaker Demetrio Billet and lobbed goalkeeper Damion Hererra in the 49th.

But the game was far from over as Meadows continued to dominate possession, but lacked the vital finishing touch.

Cavalier relied on the counter-attacking skills of the pacy Julian Nugent, who proved a handful for the Meadows backline and Thompson, which set the tone for an exciting encounter.

Meadows, through Orville Newell, Jason Vassell, Ross Burton, Scott, Kimroy Simpson and Kenroy White, pressed for the equaliser and got it in the 65th through a thunderous 25-metre shot from Scott.

That sparked life into the home team who were all over Cavalier and could have stolen all three points, but were let down by faulty shootings.

Christopher Russell, coach of Meadows, was disappointed with the result, but said they remained in the hunt.

“I’m very disappointed, we got at least seven, eight, nine chances that we could have easily scored, but I think we were a little bit too anxious,” said Russell.

Meanwhile Lamar Morgan, coach of Cavalier, said he, too, was disappointed after taking the lead and looked to be on their way to the Premier League.

“We didn’t defend as compact as we wanted and I think the midfield could have played much better, but the Meadows team is a quality team and we cannot take anything away from them…,” said Morgan.