Lloyd ... netted equaliser for Boys' Town. - File

Boys' Town found only bitter frustration in their bid to make up ground in the race for the Digicel Premier League (DPL) top spot, following a 1-1 draw at Collie Smith Drive with second from bottom Sporting Central Academy yesterday.

Beginning the day four points off the pace, the Red Brigade must have entertained thoughts of taking all three points from a Sporting Central team who have struggled for most of the season. However, despite going down to 10 men late in the first half, the Clarendon team held on for a draw.

Taking advantage

In fact, it was the Brancourt-based outfit that took advantage of inattentive Boys' Town defending, which allowed former Glenmuir schoolboy standout Carnell Learmond to fire home in the 16th minute.

Boys' Town would, however, find themselves on level terms through Renae Lloyd, who converted a 34th minute cross.

It certainly seemed the match would have swung the way of the home team when Sporting's Linval Lewis was given marching orders by referee Dave Peterkin for elbowing his opponent in the face.

Much to the annoyance of the home spectators, however, it was the 10-man visitors who looked the more dangerous team for the majority of the second period.

A shot from around 20 yards out by Learmond had Boys' Town goalkeeper, Kirk Porter, scrambling to keep it out of the net, as the custodian got down only just in time to deal with an awkward bounce in front of goal.

On a counter-attacking raid at the other end of the pitch, Boys' Town's Peter Keyes bolted down the right flank and eluded his defender. The subsequent cross, fired to goal by striker Denzil Watson, was smothered by goalkeeper Andre Blake.

Striding up and down the sidelines an irate Andrew Price, Boys' Town's coach, desperately searched for inspiration, making several changes, which included going with a more attacking 3-5-2 formation midway the second half.

But the closest Boys' Town would come in the second period was an 80th minute free kick by Robert Scott, struck from an acute angle, which was safely palmed over by an alert Blake in the Sporting goal.

"We really came here for all three points today but considering the circumstances we were happy with the draw," said Sporting coach Christopher Dawes.

"Basically in the second period being down to 10-men we just decided to hold on to what we had," he added.