Tivoli Gardens failed to snap their winless streak, which now extends to five games, after 10-man Arnett Gardens battled hard to hold the defending champions to a 1-1 scoreline in Digicel Premier League (DPL) action yesterday at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex (ESSC).

With St Georges (29 points) securing their first win of the second round with a 2-1 home result over August Town, Tivoli (26) slipped to third in the standings, albeit with a game in hand. Harbour View, who hosted Waterhouse in a late match, began the day on 28 points. Arnett have 18 points.

Sporting Central (14) and Humble Lions (11) battled to a nil-all tie in the Clarendon derby at Brancourt.

Taking the lead

At ESSC, the visitors took the lead in the 36th minute after striker Kevin 'Pele' Wilson's looping header from just inside the penalty area eluded the outstretched arms of Edsel Scott in the Tivoli goal.

Things took a turn for Arnett Gardens in the 40th minute when Kevin King saw red after he reportedly accused referee Valdin Ledgister of cheating.

Tivoli Gardens almost took advantage of their numerical advantage shortly afterwards, but Owen Powell's lob could not get the better of Arnett Gardens goalkeeper Damion Hyatt on the stroke of half-time.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with a lot of running and midfield action, but precious little threat on either goal.

Tivoli thought they had equalised in the 55th minute when Thompson nodded the ball into an empty net, but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.

However, nothing could stop Powell's six-yard drive from nestling in the net after 61 minutes to level the scores.

Second goal

This was Powell's second goal in as many home games.

Minutes later, Tivoli's Jameel Thompson somehow managed to sky his shot over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box after Hyatt mishandled Christopher Jackson's 25-yard free kick.

Tivoli's assistant coach Max Straw was disappointed with the result and his team's finishing.

"I think we played a fairly good game but we did not put away the amount of chances that we needed to. We are disappointed not to have gotten the three points at home," said Straw.

Arnett Gardens' Fabian Davis is convinced his team can do better and rued the red-card decision in the first half.

"We could have done a little bit better and I think the red card really hurt us here today. We were playing away from home and we give thanks for this one point, we just have to remain focus and concentrate on the other games," he said.