FC Reno climbed one place to second on the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) points standing after a pulsating, match that ended in a goalless draw with champions Arnett Gardens at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.

By climbing to 11 points, FC Reno have replaced Montego Bay United in the second position and are one point away from Portmore United who lead the chase on 12 points. Montego Bay United have slipped to third place on 10 points.

The drawn game, with clean intense play, drew only two yellow cards, one on each side, and also showed upward movement for Arnett Gardens, who now join Cavalier SC on seven points.

However, with Arnett Gardens possessing a superior goal difference they have replaced Cavalier in the fifth position.

Arnett Gardens’ coach Jerome Waite and FC Reno’s technical director Wendell Downswell thought the game could have gone to either team but for some stout-hearted defending that was well -upported by some excellent goalkeeping.

Downswell concluded: “Overall I thought it was a very good game. I thought we created more chances than did the champions and with a little luck we could have won the game. But that is how it is sometimes. It was very important, however, for us was to come here and perform well against the defending champions. The performance has made a mark for this young team who have no reputable or big names among them.

“To accomplish their motto, they train hard and are willing to apply themselves with great commitment in their pursuit. Despite our resolve Arnett Gardens showed why they are champions and in the circumstances a draw was a good result. Our aim though is to remain in the top four and take it from there.”

Waite praised his team for what he saw as “a plucky performance”, but observed that “the Arnett Gardens team are behind where we wanted them to be at this stage. So we still have to continue to work and it is only a matter time against this level of opposition before this team rise to its true potential. It was a good, tough, intense game in which Reno threw everything that they had at us. But the Arnett Gardens defence was resilient and aided by the goalkeeper, this really kept us in the game. However, with both teams competitive throughout, a draw is a fair result,” Waite concluded.

Teams: Arnett Gardens –

Peter Harrison, Oniel Thompson, Dicoy Williams, Jabeur Johnson, Dasha Satchwell, Jameel Thompson, Jason Moore, Vishinul Harris, Newton Sterling (Leon Strickland 55th), Kemal Malcolm, Steve Clarke (Marcelino Blackburn 72nd)

Subs not used: Damian Hyatt, Javasca Taylor, Jarmar Jackson, Neicko Williams, Lennox Russell

Booked: Satchwell (45th)

FC Reno – Ashek Taylor, Rondell Morris, Alburn Facey, Omar Johnson, Shamar Bernard, Jason McLean, Denmark Gillings (Kenardo Cooper 74th), Tyshan Hill, Jashane Foster, Roshane Sharpe (Leonardo Rankine 87th), Kavar Walker

Subs not used: Devaughn Hawthorne, Kirk Mullings, Errol McNeil, Junior Niel, Bershan Bryan

Booked: Walker (45th)

Referee: Dwight Royal

Assistant Referees: Garnet Page, Keble Williams

Fourth Official: Raymond Bogle

Match Commissioner: Elaine Walker-Brown