The fireworks expected from the clashes involving the top four teams in the Jamaica Premier League fizzled as both games ended in draws on Sunday.

Leaders Montego Bay United gave up a 2-0 lead against 10-man fourth-placed Portmore United and had to settle for a 2-2 draw while second-placed Mt Pleasant FA and third-placed Racing United were goal-less in their encounter.

Additionally, fifth-placed Waterhouse FC also drew, held 1-1 by Arnett Gardens.

Montego Bay still lead the table with 62 points with seven games left in the regular season. Mt Pleasant, who have a game in hand, are next on 57 points, two more than Racing United-55. Portmore are on 52 points, Waterhouse are fifth with 50 points, five more than defending champions Cavalier, who were 2-0 winners over Molynes United on Sunday.

There were also wins for Treasure Beach over Tivoli Gardens and Spanish Town Police over Dunbeholden FC.

At Ferdie Neita Park, Kimani Arbouine gave Montego Bay United the lead in just the ninth minute and the western Jamaica club doubled the advantage in the 51st minute when Okeemo Jones scored a free kick after Portmore United’s Stephen Young committed a foul just on the edge of the 18 yards box and was sent off.

An own goal in the 81st minute by Montego Bay’s goalkeeper Devonie Burton opened up the door for Portmore, and they took advantage when Peter McGregor came off the bench to score the equaliser in the 88th minute.

The draw at Drax Hall extended Mt Pleasant FA’s winless run to three games and Racing United’s to four straight.
At Drewsland, second half substitute Neron Barrow gave Waterhouse the lead when he scored in the 56th minute but Arnett levelled the scores four minutes later through Jermy Nelson, extending their unbeaten run against Waterhouse to 13 games.

Odane Wilberforce scored in the 46th minute and an own goal in the 75th minute saw Cavalier snap a three-game losing skid and maintain their place in the top six.

Chapelton Maroons failed to keep the pressure on Cavalier when they were held 1-1 by Harbour View, giving up a first half lead when Nathaniel Howe scored just before half time. Harbour View snatched a point when Roderick Granville equalised in the 61st minute.

Treasure Beach extended their unbeaten run to five games after coming from behind to beat Tivoli Gardens 2-1 in Santa Cruz. Tivoli Gardens went ahead through Justin Dunn in the 21st minute but Orian Titus equalised in the 23rd minute before Shaquiel Campbell scored the winning goal in time added on in the first half.

Las- placed Spanish Town Police scored back-to-back wins, beating Dunbeholden FC 4-1with a brace from Jaheim McGregor to get to within three points of safety.

Andrew Vanzie opened the scoring for Spanish Town in the 24th minute but Nevaun Turner brought Dunbeholden back level in the 40th minute.
McGregor, however, restored Spanish Town’s lead in time added at the end of the first half.

Ryieme Gayle extended the lead in the 65th minute and McGregor added the fourth in the 80th minute.

Sunday’s Results
Portmore United-2, Montego Bay United-2
Treasure Beach FC-2, Tivoli Gardens-1
Harbour View-1, Chapelton Maroons-1
Spanish Town Police-4, Dunbeholden FC-1
Cavalier SC-2, Molynes United-0
Waterhouse FC-1, Arnett Gardens-1
Mt Pleasant FA-0, Racing United-0
-Paul A Reid