When champions Arnett Gardens and Tivoli Gardens battled to a 1-1 draw in their Red Stripe Premier League match, it was a fair result, but one that sent both teams in the opposite direction.

It took a single point to push Arnett Gardens to the top of the league on 43 points while in contrast, it sent Tivoli Gardens to the bottom of the 12-team league on 20 points.

Tivoli Gardens are in unfamiliar waters and are flirting dangerously with relegation after losing seven of their last nine games. It was a welcomed away point, although team manager Brian Rose was hoping for maximum points.

“It was a hard-fought draw but I was a bit disappointed because we wanted three points today,” said Rose.

“I hope this is the turnaround of the trend that we have been going through for the last couple of matches. We have Rivoli on Wednesday and I hope we can garner three points,” said Rose.

“The fight was there, a very determined game. We know the situation we are in right now and we will have to come out fighting from all angles. The guys gave their best and I am proud of the draw,” noted Rose.

New signing Andrew Christie gave Tivoli Gardens the lead on the stroke of half-time, heading home in the 45+1 minute. But Leon Strickland would deny the visiting Tivoli Gardens full points firing home just outside the box in the 49th minute for a share of the points for Arnett Gardens and head coach Jerome Waite was fairly pleased with the result.

“This is the round where you call dog eat dog, so everybody will have to come with their ‘A’ game. Today it was good but it wasn’t anything to talk about in terms of zest. But in the end, I would classify it as a fair result, although we should have put away the game in the latter part,” said Waite.

With 10 games remaining in the third round, Arnett Gardens basically have secured their semi-final playoff berth holding a 13-point lead on the fifth placed team and it would almost be impossible for four teams to surpass them at this stage.

Tivoli Gardens have a game in hand but their fight to survive relegation will be an epic one, starting tomorrow against a Rivoli United team in 10th spot on 22 points. Waterhouse are on 21 points with Reno, Cavalier and Boys’ Town all on 27 points.

Teams: Arnett Gardens — Damian Hyatt, Oneil Thompson, Jabeur Johnson, Ranike Anderson, Jason Moore, Dicoy Williams (Newton Sterling 67th), Kenneil Hyde, Vishinul Harris, Marcelino Blackburn (Lennox Russell 83rd), Leon Strickland, Kemal Malcolm.

Subs not used: Peter Harrison, Jamar Martin, Jameel Thompson, Andrew Phang, Michaelos Martin.

Booked: none

Tivoli Gardens: Davin Watkins, Jamoy Sibbles, Barrington Pryce, Romane Brackenridge, Shawn McKoy, Cornelius Simms, Rohan Reid, Shavar Campbell (Leroy Jones 76th), Andrew Christie, Donovan Dawkins (Miguel Ricketts 83rd), Junior Flemmings (Jermaine Johnson 70th).

Subs not used: Nicholas Clarke, Andre McFarlene, Robert Stephens, Javanie Mitchell.

Booked: Campbell (43rd), Christie (88th), Brackenridge (90th).

Referee: Courtney Campbell

Assistant Referees: Princess Brown, Oyincho McTaggart

Fourth Official: Cardella Samuels

Match Commissary: Horace Lewis.