Waterhouse FC remained in second place in the Red Stripe Premier League following their 3-2 come-from- behind win over Humble Lion on Monday night.

The win sees them open up a three-point gap between themselves and third-placed Cavalier FC who went down to leaders Portmore United on Sunday.

A brilliant strike from Stephen Williams and a brace from their leading scorer Tremaine Stewart saw the Drewsland-based team overcome the visitors after going behind to a Michael Binns opener. An 89th-minute goal from substitute Rohan Richards proved to be a mere consolation as the former champions moved up to 48 points.

After a fairly even start to the game, Binns breathed life into the five-goal thriller when he capitalised on a defensive mistake by the hosts to score in the 17th minute.

Despite no apparent danger, Waterhouse failed to properly clear their lines and the Humble Lion midfielder gleefully accepted the chance to shot on goal. His laser-like shot found the corner of the goal despite the despairing dive of Diego Haughton, who was culpable in the giveaway of the ball in the first place.

But the visitors would not celebrate for long as Williams lashed home a screamer from just inside the box after the ball fell kindly to him following a corner kick. His fearsome left-footed strike left Jeadine White with no chance in the Humble Lion goal.

The equaliser spurred on the hosts who laid siege to the Humble Lion goal. White was called into action shortly after he had conceded but produced a brilliant save with the feet, a la Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea to deny the overlapping Ricardo Thomas, who had been played in by Kenroy Howell.

Stewart almost gave his team the lead directly from a corner kick but White had to be alert to punch the ball away from danger.

The teams went in 1-1 at the half-time break with the likelihood of more goals on the cards.

Binns was at the centre of all things good for Humble Lion on the resumption, leading the drives from midfield as the visitors looked for a second go-ahead goal in the game, but that would go to the hosts when Stewart scored from the spot.

Howell, who had been on a mazy dribble inside the area, was tripped from behind and referee Danean Parchment had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The well-taken penalty gave White no chance as he was sent the wrong way by the diminutive player who gave his team a 2-1 lead.

A thunderbolt of a strike from Andrew Vanzie saw the ball bounce near the goal line after crashing against the crossbar and had the Humble Lion players screaming for goal, but that was not to be.

Richards, who entered the game in the 65th minute tried to make an instant impact but his shot from outside the area was saved by Haughton, who seemed to see the ball late.

Stewart seemed to have made the game safe for Waterhouse when he steered the ball into the corner of the net in the 85th minute, for his second of the game.

But Richards made it an uncomfortable ending for Marcel Gayle and Waterhouse when his deflected effort flew past Haughton and into the goal for 3-2, two minutes from time.

The result now affords Waterhouse a little breathing room between themselves and Cavalier FC, but that may not last very long as the two teams will meet in the next edition of Monday night football.

Humble Lion remain in eighth spot on 30 points and are almost certainly out of the running for a playoff spot.

Teams: Waterhouse — Diego Haughton, Keithy Simpson, Mark Miller, Tremaine Stewart, Shawn Lawes, Kenroy Howell, Andre Leslie, Nicholy Finlayson, Andre McFarlane (Girvon Brown 90th), Stephen Williams (Deandre Thomas 53rd)

Subs not used: Akeem Chambers, Carlos Wright, Oshane Roberts

Booked: Miller (66th)

Humble Lion — Jeadine White, Kirk Duckworth, Kevin Reid, Renae Lloyd, Michael Binns, Andrew Vanzie, Jermaine Christian (Rohan Richards 65th) Lorenzo Lewin (Ricardo Dennis 85th), Cory Hylton, Levaughn Williams, Upstan Edwards (Afiba Chambers 65th)

Subs not used: Jovell Plunkett, Keniel Hyde, Hughan Gray, Javain Thompson, Seigel Knight, Ramoy Parkins,

Booked: Edwards (14th), Reid (49th), Vanzie (64th), Chambers (83rd)

Referee: Danean Parchment

Assistant referees: Nicholas Anderson, Ojay Duhaney

Fourth official: Andre Farquharson