Boulevard edged closer to promotion to the Premier Division after their first draw of the season against Devonshire Colts at Police Field yesterday.

Boulevard shared the spoils with second-place Devonshire Colts, and are in the driver’s seat to return to the top flight after three seasons in the First Division.

Dunn-ya Taylor gave them the lead in the twelfth minute when he poked a rebound into the roof of the net from close range.

Colts had a few good chances to equalise later in the half as, twice, Delgardo Pinto, the Boulevard goalkeeper, misjudged high balls into his box. The first bounced over his head as he came off his line and then bounced over the crossbar. Jahde Eve then watched his cross go untouched across the Boulevard six-yard box as Colts continued pressing for an equaliser.

Pinto made a couple of important saves, including a brilliant effort from Enrique Wilkin’s shot that he turned around the far post just before half-time. Before that, Pinto was exposed again by a high ball into the box that he misjudged before recovering to tip over the crossbar.

Boulevard frustrated Colts by enjoying a good period of possession early in the second half.

However, Colts’ persistence finally paid off in the 76th minute when Eve beat the advancing Pinto to a ball to steer his effort into an open goal. Boulevard take on Somerset Eagles next weekend at White Hill Field.

“Everybody’s excited, there was a lot of anxiousness and a lot of pressure,” said Aaron Williams, the Boulevard player-coach.

“The captain and the leadership in the team did a good job of keeping everybody settled and it was a good point today.”

Colts will also have to wait another week to secure promotion as their fate is in their own hands against St David’s.

“[Pinto] made some tremendous saves, one world-class which he pulled out of the ‘pigeonhole’ [top corner],” said Jay Bean, the Colts coach.

“We didn’t get everything we deserved today because we really put them under pressure, but it’s still in our hands. We came to get promotion, that’s what we want and next week we’ll get promotion.

“We’ll work hard this week, prepare the team as best we can and against St David’s we’ll give 100 per cent.”

Somerset Eagles defaulted to BAA Wanderers after showing up at home with only four players.

BAA will get the points and a 3-0 result to move to within a point of Colts. Now Eagles can influence who wins the title as next week they play Boulevard in their final game.

“No matter what happens between Boulevard and Eagles or BAA and Social Club, Devonshire Colts need to keep our heads down, win our match and walk away knowing we’re promoted,” Bean said.

St David’s Warriors had things all their own way against visiting Paget Lions who had two players sent off on their way to a 4-0 defeat.

Paget were then reduced to ten men in the 25th minute when Alex Raynor picked up a second yellow card that led to a penalty that Kaylin Darrell converted to give St David’s the lead. The home team doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Justin Pitcher, better known for his cricket exploits as a seam bowler, added his name to the scoresheet.

St David’s extended the game further beyond Paget’s reach when George O’Brien, a former goalkeeper who is also known as a cricketer, scored to make it 3-0.

Paget’s woes continued when they were reduced to nine men in the 74th minute when Damon Morris earned a second yellow card. Keijon Butterfield helped St David’s to an emphatic victory with an 89th minute goal as the home side ended the game with a flurry.

In the other matches, X-Roads beat Young Men’s Social Club 3-1 at Bernard Park while Ireland Rangers and Wolves drew 1-1 at Malabar Field.