PORTMORE United’s head coach Calvin Lewis was satisfied with gaining a point after a 1-1 result against a battling Arnett Gardens team in Sunday’s Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) match at the Ferdie Neita Park.

Portmore went ahead in the 39th minute through an own goal from Arnett Gardens defender Kemar Brown. The visiting team equalised through a sweetly struck effort from Fabian Reid in the 79th minute.

The point kept Portmore United in pole position for the Second End-of-Round Final with 20 points. They also lead the overall standings with 38 points.

The inconsistent Arnett Gardens, on 16 points, are virtually out of contention for the End-of-Round Final, but are sixth overall on 29 points.

Said Lewis: “The important thing is not to lose at home. Today (Sunday) we came up against a hard-running Arnett Gardens team. I have to give a lot of credit to Arnett Gardens because they really pushed us back, but overall I think we played well defensively. We should do better when we have the football, but we are grateful for the point.”

His counterpart Paul Davis praised the intensity showed by his players after conceding the own goal.

“We played well tonight (on Sunday) and did well against a young bunch of guys who like to run. We contained them… We scored a defender’s goal and it made us having to use a lot of effort and energy to get the equaliser,” said Davis.

Both teams started solidly and enjoyed moments of possession, but it was Portmore who nearly took the lead when Brown moved smartly to block a goal-bound volley from veteran Roen Nelson midway the half.

Brown turned villain six minutes before the half-time interval, when he miscued a clearance from Ricardo Cousins’ free-kick straight into his own net.

Arnett Gardens lifted the tempo in the second half as Jason Moore, Reid and Leon Strickland put the Portmore defensive unit under pressure.

Arnett were rewarded when Reid pounced on a loose ball and sent a searing, first-time 26-yard effort along the ground and into the corner of the net.

Teams: Portmore United — Shaven-Sean Paul, Adrian Reid, Upston Edwards, Rosario Harriott, Andrew Christie, Andrew Vanzie, Shauntel Mundle (Ewan Grandison 84th), Ricardo Cousins, Eric Vernan, Alanzo Adlam (Neco Brett 87th), Roen Nelson

Subs not used: Kemar Foster, Rickardo Harriott, Damion Binns, Nickoy Christian, Richard Allen

Booked: Vanzie (25th), Vernan (90th)

Arnett Gardens — Damion Hyatt, Ryan Powell, William Richards, Kirk Ramsay, Kemar G Brown, Jonathan Williams (Newton Sterling 58th), Jason Moore, Leon Strickland, Rohan Reid, Fabian Reid, Ricardo Smith

Subs not used: Rasheede Clarke, Cornel Chin-Sue, Rohan Williams, Vanado Manning, Andre Wheeler, Orain Dixon

Booked: Moore (39th)

Referee: Raymond Bogle

Assistant Referees: Kedlee Powell, Melvin Reid

Fourth Official: Dwight Royal

Match Commissary: Richard Nathan