TITLE holders Tivoli Gardens inconsistent form in the second round of the Digicel Premier League continued yesterday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sporting Central Academy at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex.

It was the fourth draw in five outings for the West Kingston-based team, since they won the first end-of-round final.

The fact that captain and leading scorer Navion Boyd was ejected from the match in the 35th minute did not help the case of the reigning champions.

The national striker was shown the red card by referee Dwight Royal after he punched Sporting Central defender Kadian Wynter in retaliation.

Prior to Boyd’s expulsion, Tivoli dominated proceedings, with Keammar Daley forcing two good saves out of Sporting Central’s custodian Andre Blake in the ninth and 31st minutes.

Conversely, Sporting’s best chance of the first half came in the 15th minute through Francois Swaby, but his chipped shot over Tivoli’s advancing goalkeeper Edsel Scott was cleared off the line by veteran defender Victor Thompson.

Despite the one-man disadvantage, the first-round champions employed the off-side trap to good effect restricting the scoring chances for Sporting Central.

Nine minutes after being introduced substitute Horace Sharpe gave Tivoli what looked to be the winner in the 79th minute. The dreadlocked midfielder tapped in from six yards after Kemmar Flemming beat two players down right flank to supply an accurate cross.

However, Sporting hit back within a minute through Jermaine Christian. Substitute Levaughn Williams, who ran on to a pass from his skipper Jevaughn Watson down the left flank, whipped in a low cross, which the unmarked Christian side-footed home at the back post. The result was Sporting Central Academy’s fourth drawn match from five second- round matches.

TEAMS

Tivoli Gardens – Edsel Scott, Kemar Flemmings, Victor Thompson, Kasai Hinds, Christopher Jackson, Keammar Daley, Jerry Walters, Steve Green, Jameel Thompson (Horace Sharpe 70th), Navion Boyd, Owen Powell.

Subs not used: Julian McLeish, Michael Blygen, , Jermaine Allen, Rupert Murray, Damion Gordon, Owen Gordon

Booked: N Boyd (35th Red), K Flemming (74th), J Walters (88th)

Sporting Central Academy — Andre Blake, Akeem Anakie, Linval Lewis, Camaal Reid, Hughan Gray (Cleon Barrett 63rd) (Levaughn Williams 72nd), Kadian Wynter, Marlon Allen, Jevaughn Watson, Dale Watson, Jermaine Christian, Francois Swaby (Oneke Ford 83rd).

Subs not used: Tristan Huntley, Romaine Barnes, Jamoley Powell, Gregory Lewis

Booked: K Wynter (37th)

Referee: Dwight Royal

Assistants: Stephen Brown & Recardus Wilson

Fourth official: Carvel Bantan

Match Commissary: Andrew Payne