A deftly taken free kick by utility play Hughan Gray salvaged a point for Waterhouse in their 1-1 result with Tivoli Gardens in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) second-round match at Drewsland on Sunday.

This was the second draw, plus a loss by Waterhouse since beating Arnett Gardens four matches ago to take over the lead in the RSPL second round, and with such shoddy shooting in front of goal, may just find it difficult to get back into serious contention to reach the second end-of-round final.

With second-round leaders Arnett Gardens and Montego Bay United both on 18 points, Waterhouse along with Harbour View, Portmore United and Cavalier are all on 17 points with one set of games remaining. However, Cavalier hold a slight advantage, having a game in hand against Humble Lion, and could assume sole leadership with a win.

Overall, Waterhouse are fifth on 32 points from 21 games and trail leaders Harbour View by 10 points with 18 games remaining in the season. Tivoli Gardens are struggling in eighth spot on 27 points.

The Glendon ‘Admiral’ Bailey-coached orange and black outfit on 13 second-round points had taken the lead courtesy of a Nicholas Scott 53rd-minute strike with a well-placed shot from an acute angle away from goalkeeper Richard McCallum.

This was against the run of play, although Tivoli Gardens had their sporadic moments where they, too, seemed to lack accurate firing power to take advantage of chances that fell their way.

It was good fillip for the young West Kingston team that, despite being outmanoeuvred for the most part, held their nerves to go ahead following some wasteful shooting from the home team.

Falling behind, Waterhouse began to press forward and were rewarded with the equaliser 28 minutes from time by the cleverly taken free kick from Gray.

Encouraged by the success, Waterhouse continued to press forward, but Tivoli Gardens, through Kasai Hinds, Damion Gordon, who gave leading goalscorer Jermaine Anderson little room to operate in his comfort zone, and Ranike Anderson, though picking up a yellow card for his tenacity, all did yeoman service to earn a point with defensive play following their morale-boosting victory in midweek in the Jackie Bell KO.

TEAMS: Waterhouse FC — Richard McCallum, Rohan Amos, Nicholi Finlayson, Jahmeel Thompson, Jason Watson (Damion Powell 62nd), Hughan Gray, Hugh Howell, Troy Reid (Andre Clennon 62nd), Weston Forrest (Morice Ricketts 84th), Gary McIntosh, Jermaine Anderson

Subs not used: K Cousins, T Brown, J Benjamin, D Oliver

Booked: Reid (50th), Finlayson (64th), McIntosh (79th)

Tivoli Gardens — Deron Duncan, Ranike Anderson, Damion Gordon, Kasai Hinds, Christopher Jackson, Fabian Campbell, Shawn McKoy, Jamie Robinson (Junior Flemming 80th), Nicholas Scott, Jamoy Sibblis, Terence Allen

Subs not used: R Clarke, D Garrison, F Campbell, B Price, J Allen, A Rumble

Booked: Campbell (35th), Gordon (71st), Anderson (79th)

Referee: Raymond Bogle

Assistant Referees: Keble Williams, Stephen Brown

Fourth Official: Cavel Banton

Match Commissary: Elaine Walker-Brown