Waterhouse FC, inspired by the return of Donovan Duckie as coach, clawed themselves back from a goal down against 10-man Arnett Gardens to draw 1-1 in their late kick-off Red Stripe Premier League game at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Thursday night.

The draw has left Arnett Gardens still in second place on 35 points to leaders Portmore United on 37, while Waterhouse have slipped one place down the pecking order to eighth from seventh on 20 points along with Montego Bay United FC who have a superior goal difference of two to Waterhouse’s -6.

Fresh from their 2-1 home win against fifth-placed FC Reno in a Monday night game at home, Waterhouse put the reigning champions on the backfoot from the opening whistle, and 19 minutes into the game Arnett Gardens were left with only nine outfield players to soldier on.

That they did even with the departure of Jamar Martin, who was sent for an early shower for an incident near his own goal area.

Being a player down did not put Arnett Gardens at a disadvantage, even as Waterhouse tried to make their numerical superiority count.

Then when it appeared as though the teams had settled for the second session to fashion a positive decision, two minutes into time added in first half, Arnett Gardens struck.

The goal came when Fabian Reid found Vishinul Harris lurking in the Waterhouse goal area with a deft pass and the Arnett Gardens striker put the champions ahead after poking the ball past goalkeeper Diego Haughton to give his team a well-earned lead.

But the lead was short-lived. At the other end, the nippy Kemar Beckford, true to his playing style, beat goalkeeper Damian Hyatt with a freakish header that caught the goalie off his line.

Visiting coach Duckie was not too disappointed by the 1-1 result.

“In all fairness, I thought the score of 1-1 was a fair result,” he said.

Arnett Gardens’ coach Jerome Waite spoke highly of his team’s resolve.

“What the team showed today was that they are a tough, resolute collection of warriors who refused to give in even when the odds are uneven…. and who stayed on their feet to play as true champions”, he said.

Teams: Arnett Gardens FC — Damian Hyatt, Oneil Thompson, Jamar Martin, Jabeur Johnson, Tamar Edwards, Kenniel Hyde, Jason Moore (Ranike Anderson 84th), Vishinul Harris (Leon Strickland 84th), Damai Deacon, Fabian Reid, Lennox Russell (Kemal Malcolm 72nd).

Subs not used: Shamarley Clayton, Rickardo Oldham, Steve Clarke, Newton Sterling

Booked: Martin (ejected 19th), Russell (23rd), Harris (29th)

Waterhouse FC — Diego Haughton, Jeffrey Henry (Neicko Williams 71st), Keno Simpson, Shawn Lawes, Ricardo Thomas, Carlos Wright, Andre McFarlane (Denardo Thomas 90th), DeAndre Brown (Dasha Satchwell 61st), Mark Miller, Tremaine Stewart, Kemar Beckford

Subs not used: Akeem Chambers, Cristhian Herira, Nicholy Finlayson, Juvaune Benjamin

Booked: Lawes (28th), Beckford (45th+2)

Referee: Danean Parchment

Assistant referees: Nicholas Anderson, Ojay Duhaney

Fourth official: Nerissa Goldson

Match commissioner: Martin Lyn

— Hurbun Williams