Racing United produced one of the greatest comebacks in Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League history to keep their semi-final hopes alive, following a thrilling 3-3 result against Portmore United in the first-leg play-off football match at the National Stadium on Sunday.

A first-half brace from Ronaldo Robinson and a 53rd-minute strike from Peter McGregor gave Rudolph Austin’s Portmore a three-goal lead and seemingly on the verge of the last four.

However, Anthony Patrick’s Racing pulled off a miracle thanks to goals from Tajay Grant (58th minute), Nickyle Ellis (79th) and Damorney Hutchinson (86th).

It means both teams will have it all to play for in Wednesday’s second leg at the National Stadium.

The winner will meet three-time finalists and reigning Concacaf Caribbean Cup champions Mount Pleasant Football Academy who automatically qualified for the semi-finals after topping the league table.

While Racing are making their play-off debut, seven-time champions Portmore are looking to go one stage further than last season after losing in the quarter-finals to defending champions Cavalier FC. Portmore’s last semi-final appearance was in the 2018/19 season when they went on to win the title.

Prior to Sunday’s contest, the St Catherine derby had never produced more than two goals in its six-game history in the JPL. However, both teams turned that statistic on its head with a six-goal encounter.

Fans of the teams were still trickling in when Portmore midfielder Robinson opened the scoring in the fifth minute, blasting home from close range.

Racing were stunned again only four minutes later as Robinson grabbed his second and 10th of the season, putting Portmore firmly in charge.

Portmore continued their momentum in the second half and tripled their advantage when McGregor headed home.

It seemed like Racing were dead and buried, but Grant gave them a lifeline just before the hour mark.

Jamaica Reggae Boyz midfielder Ellis cut the deficit to one in the 79th after pouncing on a corner kick.

Racing completed the comeback four minutes before the 90th, with Hutchinson capitalising on a mix-up in Portmore’s defence.