Heavy rains at the UWI Bowl cast a gloom over the venue and also the home team as they led twice and squandered a glorious opportunity and had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Reno in their Red Stripe Premier League match yesterday.

It was a very disappointing end to what could have been an impressive and crucial victory that would have propelled the home team out of the relegation zone. Despite gaining a point, they remained in the danger zone in 11th spot with eight points.

UWI led twice courtesy of strikes from Girvon Brown and Rochane Smith in the 29th and 60th minutes, respectively. Reno responded with Roshane Sharpe and Miguel Barnaby in the 43rd and 88th minutes.

The Westmoreland-based Reno inched to 13 points and slipped a spot to fifth in the 12-team league.

Before the rain came, the game began in cool conditions and the home team was on the front foot quite early and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 29th minute. Brown fired home beating goalkeeper Ashek Taylor to his far post.

Then Sharpe notched his fourth goal of the season in text book fashion, heading the ball in the direction it came from which left UWI custodian Amal Knight flat-footed which saw the half ending 1-1.

But the home team, who had the better of the possession, once again regained the ascendency in the 60th minute from a powerful shot from Smith that had goal of the season written all over it.

UWI, who had the upperhand, squandered several goalscoring chances to put the game to bed and paid the price when Barnaby bundled home in the 88th minute.

Two players were red-carded by referee Leon Brown as UWI’s Akeem Theanstead, who came on in the 75th minute, was dismissed in the 88th, while Reno’s Afiba Chambers also saw red for a crunching tackle on the wily Jamie Robinson in the 90th.

Meanwhile, Harbour View trounced Portmore United 3-0 courtesy of a Kevaugh Frater hat-trick in the second, 40th and 78th minutes. The Stars of the east are up to 13 points, while Portmore remained second with 15 points.

In other games, Tivoli Gardens clipped Rivoli United 1-0 courtesy of a Junior Flemmings 25th-minute strike at the Spanish Town Prison Oval, while Humble Lion defeated Cavalier 1-0, thanks to a 77th-minute goal by Devon Hodges. Also, Shamar Nicholson scored in the third minute to give Boys’ Town 1-0 victory over struggling Waterhouse at the Drewsland Mini-Stadium.

Teams:

UWI — Amal Knight, Dravian Williams, Nicholas McMorris, Kemar Flemmings, Ramoun Reid, Patrick Brown, Anthony Greenland (Akeem Thenstead 75th), Daniel Gilzene, Jamie Robinson, Rochane Smith, Girvon Brown.

Subs not used: Simon Bennett, Deigton Stuart, Raffique Bryan, Jamie Samuels, Mitch Wright, Jason Gregory.

Booked: Theanstead (ejected-88th), McMorris (31st), Smith 90th+).

Reno — Asher Taylor (Devaughn Hawthorne 61st), Alburn Facey, Xavion Anderson, Omar Johnson, Jason McLean, Afiba Chambers, Tyshan Hill, Jashane Foster, Roshane Sharpe, Miguel Barnaby, Kenardo Cooper (Renario Downswell 71st).

Subs not used: Kayce Bromfield, Kirk Mullings, Denmark Gillings, Kavar Walker. Leonard Rankine.

Booked: Chambers (ejected-90th), Barnaby (69th)

Referee: Leon Brown

Assistant referees: Lloyd Reader, Omar Mills

Fourth Official: Jermaine Douglas

Match Commissary: Garfield McDonald

— Howard Walker