BOYS’ Town defeated their neighbours Arnett Gardens 2-1 in a dramatic encounter and successfully thwarted the challenge of Portmore United in their crucial relegation battle at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.

Boys’ Town started the day in 10th spot on 35 points and two points above Portmore United, but with this win and Portmore’s 1-3 loss to Humble Lion, the Red Brigades finished on 38 points and ninth spot comfortably ahead of the relegation zone.

Portmore United, champions in 2012 and third-placed finishers last season, ended with 33 points and joined August Town as the two relegated teams and will be condemned to parish football next season.

However, with the proposed restructuring of the island’s football that will embrace a franchise system for the 2015-16 season, Portmore United’s demise might not be felt that much.

Meanwhile, Boys’ Town entered their match against a very weakened Arnett Gardens team with at least seven starters knowing they must win to avoid relegation and that they did albeit in a lukewarm display from the hosts.

But despite Arnett’s lack of attacking intentions, Boys’ Town made heavy weather of the opportunity and that summed up why they found themselves in their predicament, hovering just above the relegation zone.

Arnett Gardens, on the other hand, were content with horizontal and back passes, showing no fervour to go forward.

Arnett’s first free kick by Vishinul Harris went so high in the sky even the birds had to take cover. Then stand-in captain Leon Strickland also took a free kick that could have earned him a contract with the NFL.

With news filtering through that Portmore United had scored in the 20th minute, Boys’ Town tried to reply but Andre Dawson missed two relatively easy chances in the 26th and 27th minutes.

However, in the 43rd minute Marvin Stewart scored a beautiful left-footer from just outside the box that whistled past debutant goalkeeper Kadane Radcliffe in Arnett’s goal.

That eased the tension and allowed the Boys’ Town’s faithful to relax, but the game got interesting when news reached the Complex that Humble Lion had equalised against Portmore United, prompting the Arnett fans to urge their team to attack. But it was Boys’ Town that doubled their advantage and that goal came from the most unlikely of goalscorers in defender Victor Thompson, who fired home from close range in the 54th minute.

Further news filtered in that Humble Lion were now leading Portmore United and the atmosphere changed as Arnett stepped up the pace and pulled one back courtesy of Daveion Woodhouse in the 78th minute. That didn’t go down well with one Boys’ Town’s fan.

“That’s not the deal. Dem nah do we no favour and sey we a dem neighbour. That’s wasn’t the deal,” cried the Boys’ Town fan.

But then, Portmore United and fell behind 1-3, and with the urging of their Arnett fans, the home team went into overdrive.

Boys’ Town were now safe from relegation, but Arnett Gardens’ lack of purpose may affect them in the semi-final play-offs because they now end up in fourth spot, on 52 points, and will face in-form Waterhouse in the play-offs.