On a day when Reno FC were relegated from the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL), first-timers Dunbeholden maintained their hope of survival, if only just.

A 0-0 draw with Arnett Gardens at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Thursday saw them earn a crucial point in the quest for survival.

Dunbeholden are now three points outside of the relegation zone but can still be caught by Montego Bay United with two match days to go. For the St Catherine-based club the equation is now very simple.

At the very least they need to match the performance of Montego Bay United on Sunday and they will remain in the RSPL for the 2019-2020 season as their goal difference would make them safe, even if they lost on the final match day and Mobay United won.

The second team in the RSPL from St Catherine cannot be faulted for their efforts against the former champions as they gave as good as they got for the 90 minutes.

With the threat of relegation still hanging over their heads, they set out not to lose and did a very good job of matching their opponents in the first half.

The game was a slow burner that took a while to come to life and it took 13 minutes before either goalkeeper was given anything to do. The Dunbeholden goalkeeper and man-of-the-match Eric Edwards came up with a smart save from a rasping drive from the boot of Jamiel Hardware.

It didn’t take long for Edwards to be called into action again as Michaelos Martin held up play well before passing to Hardware, who was denied yet again after trying to sneak the ball past the goalkeeper at his near post.

Martin was left holding his head later on after his goalbound effort from a corner kick was cleared off the line by Deanandre Thomas.

Arnett Gardens goalkeeper Mikhail Harrison was called upon only once in the half, tipping over a deflected header for a corner kick.

There was very little goal-mouth action in a bruising second half as the visitors tried their best to limit the offensive efforts of their hosts.

Hardware, however, was left cursing his luck as he just failed to get onto the end of a cross from Lennox Russell that rolled across the face of goal. A couple of free kicks in dangerous territory from him and Jamar Martin went sailing over the crossbar, to the delight of the travelling Dunbeholden supporters.

The final whistle could not come soon enough for the Michael Cohen-coached team who now sit one spot and three points above the drop zone after Harbour View and Humble Lion both won to jump above them in the standings.

Teams: Arnett Gardens — Mickhail Harrison, Ramone McGregor, Ranike Anderson, Jamar Martin, Tamar Edwards, Rickardo Oldham, Paul Wilson (Renardo Wright 70th), Jamiel Hardware, Fabian Reid, Michaelos Martin (Ronaldo Cephas 79th), Lennox Russell (Lamar Nelson 87th)

Subs not used: Damion Hyatt, Jahwahni Hinds, Kemar Reid

Booked: Fabian Reid (80th), Nelson (90th), McGregor (90th+4)

Dunbeholden: Eric Edwards, Andre Dyce, Shaquelle Dyer, Shevan James, Greame Green (Kemo Gayle 67th), Dasha Sachwell, Demario Phillips, Gavin Roberts (Leon Strickland 86th), Narado Brown (Richard Anderson 41st), Deandre Thomas, Anthony Thompson

Subs not used: Giovanni Smith, Maurice Mays, Kevin Reid, Dwayne Smith

Booked: Satchwell (65th), Gayle (73rd), Dyce (80th), Roberts (86th)

Referee: Doyen Tummings

Assistant Referees: Rolanzo Bennett, Eron Simpson

Fourth Official: Carvel Banton