In a game where both sets of strikers were wasteful in front of goal, defending Red Stripe Premier League champions Portmore United FC and Harbour View FC played out a 0-0 draw at the Spanish Town Prison Oval on Sunday.

The hosts had the better of possession in the first half which was played in blustery conditions but they failed to really test Nicholas Nelson in the Harbour View goal.

Leading striker Rondee Smith had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring when he was played in by Carlos Barrett on the top of the box, but his skewed effort went well wide of the target with the striker left looking down at the surface long after the shot was taken.

Javon East had the best chance of the half and perhaps the game, but he could only manage to shoot straight at the midriff of the advancing Nelson from seven yards out.

The closest Harbour View came to getting on the score sheet in the first half was when captain Kemar Bennett whipped a free kick across the face of the Portmore goal. The ball was begging for a mere touch to go into the net, but no player in yellow and blue got close enough.

Portmore captain Ricardo Morris also had a gilt edge chance on the stroke of half-time but his header was inches wide of the left upright.

The “Stars of the East” began the second half with a lot more ambition and created a few clear chances to score.

Timar Lewis was the first Harbour View player to get a shot on target in the game, but his tame effort was easily handled by Shaven Paul. Mark Alves then had a sight at goal but he dwelt on the ball too long and his shot was deflected behind for a corner kick.

Shemar Nairne was allowed to control on his chest and turn inside the box but watched in anguish as Rosario Harriott provided a last-ditch effort TO deflect the ball behind and spare the blushes of the home team.

At the other end, East managed to get a header on target from a flicked effort from his strike partner Smith, but Nelson was in the right place at the right time to effect an easy save.

The addition of Cleon Pryce and Lamar Walker added much-needed punch to the Portmore attack and a neat build-up that included both substitutes saw a good chance being created for Morris, but his shot went just wide of the goal.

The last chance of the game fell to Smith but his header was well held by Nelson at the near post.

The result sees Portmore edge up to 44 points as they maintain their place atop the league, while Harbour View remain in ninth place with 25 points.

Portmore head coach Shavar Thomas was already looking beyond the result at the final whistle. He refused to be concerned that his team was drawing their second game in a row to begin the third round.

“We have to move on to the next one, we have to find the right chemistry, the right mixture up front and it’s simple, we just need somebody to put the ball into the net because that is where we are letting down ourselves right now,” he said frankly.

He was pleased with the effectiveness of his substitutes but bemoaned the lack of results despite their efforts.

“When Lamar came in and Cleon came in, it was a different look because those two players are players that can move past their opponents. They invite the pressure so we can play in behind and we were looking for that in the last 20 minutes and we got that, but we have to get the end product,” he reasoned.

For Fabian Taylor it was gratitude for the point.

“Every point going forward is crucial and today wasn’t any different. I thought we defended stoutly, we could have won the game as well. I think we got the better chances but a point away from home is very good for us now.”

However, the former Reggae Boy thought his players let themselves down as three points were there for the taking.

“We asked our forwards to open up the field a little bit because they were playing with three at the back. We played well but the final decision wasn’t there and that cost us all three points.”

Teams: Portmore United — Paul Shaven, Chavany Willis, Ricardo Morris, Javon East (Lamar Walker 70th), Carlos Barrett (Cleon Pryce 62nd), Venton Evans (Emilio Rousseau), Osani Ricketts, Roberto Johnson, Rosario Harriott, Rondee Smith, Donnegy Fer

Subs not used: Kemar Foster, Damian Williams, Earon Elliott, Ryan Wellington

Booked: Fer (81st)

Harbour View — Nicholas Nelson, Dicoy Williams, Ajeanie Tolbott, Odane Samuels, Odorland Harding, Kemar Bennett, Mark Alves, Andrew Allen (Andre Lowe 90th), Timar Lewis (Shandee Brooks 85th), Shemar Nairne, Ronaldo Robinson (Bebeto McDonald 59th)

Subs not used: Christian Kluvi, Julian Manning, John Luca Levee

Booked: Alves (39th)

Referee: Okieto Nicholson

Assistant referees: Damian Williams, Joshua Jackson

Fourth official: Steffon Dewar

Match commissioner: Garfield McDonald