Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Portmore United kept apace of leaders Harbour View following a 1-1 draw in Wray and Nephew National Premier League action at the Harbour View Mini Stadium last night.

The distance between the teams remains at six points, as Harbour View move to 58 points while Portmore move to 52 with just six games to go.

After a scoreless first half, it was the St. Catherine team which took the lead through Carlington Smith in the 48th minute. After an advantage call from what looked to be a sure penalty, the striker rounded Harbour View custodian Dwayne Miller before slotting the ball into the back of an open net.

Harbour View captain Lovel Palmer was given his marching orders in the 75th minute and things looked indeed bleak for the 'Stars of the East'. However, the ever-dangerous Fabian Taylor came up the hero when he brought them level with a fierce 84th-minute volley which gave a fully stretched Shawn Sawyers in the Portmore goal no chance at all.

"We came here for all three points today and we had our chances but we just missed two many of them," said Portmore coach Linval Dixon.

"However, from here on out we will be looking to keep the pressure on and we will also hope that Harbour View make a mistake in the next couple of weeks," he said.

After seeing his side go down to 10 men, Harbour View coach Lenworth Hyde was happy his team secured a point, but believes it could have been more.

"We expected a good game and we knew they would have come at us, we got our chances but the red card impacted the result today," he said.

"However, the team showed a lot of enthusiasm and character to ensure a point and it's going to be a tight race over the next couple of games," he added.

"We will not be taking anyone lightly."