Harbour View FC Assistant Manager Damion “Stew Peas” Stewart says the technical staff will need to change the mindset of the players if they are to avoid relegation from the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League.

The five-time champions narrowly avoided defeat as they drew 1-1 with fellow strugglers Humble Lion at the Harbour View Stadium on Sunday.

Humble Lion thought they were on their way to three points when James Thomas converted a controversially awarded penalty in the 25th minute.

However, the Clarendon-based side would be on the other end of a controversial penalty decision with the last attack of the game. Timar Lewis slotted home comfortably in the seventh minute of stoppage to give the teams a share of the points.

While not fully happy with the performance, Stewart was pleased to end a four-game losing streak.

“A point was important for the morale of the team because we’ve been fighting for the last few games without any positive results. I wouldn’t say it’s a fair result, but we’ll take it,” he said.

Although a point gained, Harbour View, who remain in the relegation zone in 12th on 13 points, have just three wins from their 17 outings and are winless in their last nine games.

Former Jamaica Reggae Boyz defender Stewart, who won the Premier League as a player with the club, is hoping the players will rise to the occasion in the weeks to come.

“We all know we’re fighting relegation, but I think once you get the players to be confident, they’ll climb up. It’s all about giving them that confidence to let them know you believe in them and they can do it, and I know they will climb out from this,” he said.

“We have to come and try fix the morale of the players and get them to believe in themselves again and remind them of where Harbour View used to be and where it needs to be, and we’ll just continue working on that,” Stewart added.

Humble Lion remain at the foot of the table on 11 points and still have just one win all season.

Humble Lion Head Coach Donovan Duckie, though disappointed with the last-minute equaliser, says it’s the start of things to come.

“We were so close to winning, but it’s a lot ot build on. When you win, you say we can score more and we should have scored more. When you draw, you always look at where you could have won, and when you lose, you always wish you could have drawn the game. We’ve dealt with all three and we’re leaving Harbour View with a point so we should be grateful,” said Duckie.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

•Harbour View 1, Humble Lion 1

•Dunbeholden 0, Cavalier 2

•Vere Phoenix 0, Portmore 2

•Waterhouse 0, Tivoli Gardens 1

•Chapelton Maroons 0, Molynes 0

MONDAY’S GAMES

•5:00 pm – Racing vs Mount Pleasant @ Anthony Spaulding Complex

•7:45 pm – Arnett Gardens vs Montego Bay @ Anthony Spaulding Complex

Harbour View midfielder Jah-Neil Wray (left) and Humble Lion defender Afiba Chambers challenge for the ball during the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League encounter at the Harbour View Stadium.

Humble Lion Captain Odane Murray (left) battles to hold the ball away from Harbour View ‘s Javid George in their Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League encounter on Sunday.