Dandy Town 2 PHC 2

Jomar Wilkinson, the Dandy Town coach, breathed a huge sigh of relief after his team scored twice late on to salvage a share of the spoils against PHC Zebras at St John’s Field yesterday.

The visitors were just two minutes away from pulling off a major upset after second half goals from Malachi Jones and Jahnai Raynor earned them a 2-0 lead.

But just when it seemed as though Zebras had done enough Town were thrown a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty after defender Mikey Lambe was judged to have committed a foul in the box.

Treadwell Gibbons Jr, the Town goalkeeper, buried the resulting spot-kick past the outstretched arms of counterpart Quincy Hunt who picked the right corner but was beaten for pace.

Suddenly it was game on and before the dust had settled Hunt was digging the ball out of the back of the net yet again after super sub Temiko Wilson fired home from close range after being afforded too much time and space in the box. The outcome enabled Town to maintain their slim one-point lead at the top the Premier Division standings after nearest rivals Somerset Trojans were held to a draw against St David’s.

Wilkinson praised his players’ character and never-say-die attitude that shone through when it mattered most.

“This team showed a lot of character and this is not the first time they have fought back,” he said. “It was a good effort and I am proud of them.”

Mark Wade, the Zebras coach, declined to comment.

After both teams observed a minute of silence in memory of Devrae Noel-Simmons, the late Town goalkeeper, Zebras applied heavy pressure with the wind at their back.

Lonnie Bascome, the Zebras striker, was denied by a fingertip save from Gibbons while former Town player Shakir Smith volleyed just wide of the upright.

After weathering the early onslaught Town began to create openings and chances of their own with Simmons’ pace causing concern down the left flank. Simmons had the ball in the back of the net midway through the half but the effort was ruled offside. He also had a ferocious volley from outside of the penalty area crash onto the bar with Hunt a mere spectator.

Zebras, who tormented their hosts with the long ball, nearly broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time. Town were dispossessed in midfield and a through ball sent Smith racing towards goal on a breakaway. Gibbons, though, was equal to the task, racing off his line to thwart the danger.

The game really came alive after the break when Zebras took the lead through a set piece in the 54th minute.

The visitors were awarded a free -kick just outside of the penalty box for a handball and Jones, better known for his cricket prowess, duly curled a right-footed shot around the wall and inside of Gibbons’ far post.

The goal clearly knocked Town off stride and 15 minutes later the hosts fell further behind after Raynor tapped a Smith rebound into an empty net.

With the lead of the Premier Division hanging in the balance and panic setting in, Town threw everything they had at PHC and were eventually rewarded for their persistence as the visitors paid the price for some poor defending.

n Somerset Trojans could not take advantage of Dandy Town dropping point, only managing a 1-1 draw against St David’s at Somerset Cricket Club. The hosts took the lead through Justin Corday early on. Zachary Morris levelled midway through the second half.

Trojans remain one point behind Town, while St David’s move up a place to ninth.