A second-half penalty miss by Damali Bell proved costly for X-Roads at Garrison Field when leaders Robin Hood struck minutes later through top scorer Jesse Kirkland to win 3-2 and hand the home team their first league loss of the season.

Robin Hood, relegated last season, continued their push for a quick return to the Premier Division with a win that keeps them at the head of the pack. Shawn Brown put the visiting side in front after just three minutes from the penalty spot after a hand-ball infringement. But the lead lasted only four minutes before Tristan Daniels equalised for X-Roads, who crashed out of the FA Cup in midweek.

Khyon Smith put X-Roads in front for the first time on the half-hour, but within three minutes Hood produced an equaliser through Joel Duffy to make it 2-2 at the half.

X-Roads had a good chance to go back in front in the 70th minute when Smith was fouled and referee Kuhn Evans awarded a penalty. However, Bell’s effort was saved by Jesse Simons, the Hood goalkeeper, diving to his right. The save proved critical to the outcome of the match as Hood scored what proved to be the winner six minutes later when Kirkland drove home from close range to secure the points. Kyle Lightbourne, the Hood coach, called it one of their toughest wins of the season.

“We had a few problems with guys sick this week and it is a tough place to come and win,” Lightbourne said. “They’ve been undefeated all season, so that says a lot for them. In the first half, we were going against the elements with the breeze and it was a tough game for us. We were definitely in a match and we knew that from the beginning.

“They had that opportunity to go ahead with the penalty and my goalkeeper made the save and we managed to scrap a result today. We had to adapt to the conditions and that is what we did. With us getting the points today, if we can avoid defeat against teams around us — and they are around us — I think we’ll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. We’ve got Devonshire Colts and St George’s to play away from home.”

Lightbourne praised Kirkland for the manner in which he had taken up the scoring responsibilities in the absence of Antwan Russell, who is now playing in England.

“Jesse’s been excellent for us, he gives us a great outlet with his pace,” the coach said. “We had to endure a lot of pressure today and my guys showed they really wanted it. This was probably our toughest game of the season.”

Second-half goals from strikers Wesley Stovell and Damian Mendoza earned promotion hopefuls St George’s Colts a 2-0 win over Ireland Island Rangers at Wellington Oval.

Stovell opened the scoring in the 55th minute when he converted from the penalty spot after being brought down in the area by Daischon Chin, the Rangers goalkeeper. Chin raced off his line to gather a long ball, but misjudged the bounce, allowing Stovell a run at goal. The St George’s forward was fouled as he attempted to slot the ball into the empty net.

Rangers were reduced to ten men in the 78th minute when defender Ras Makal Burgess was sent off for a dangerous two-footed tackle.

Mendoza then added to Rangers’ misery when he nodded in a corner kick in the 85th minute to kill the game off.

Devonshire Colts continued their assault on automatic promotion with a comprehensive 8-0 thrashing of Paget at Police Field.

Striker Kyle Jones did the most damage, helping himself to five goals in the landslide win.

Zuri Darrell contributed with a brace and Matthew Gerardo also got on the scoresheet.

Aaron Williams scored the only goal of the game in Boulevard’s 1-0 win over Young Men’s Social Club at Bernard Park.

In Saturday night’s match, BAA Wanderers beat Somerset Eagles 2-1 at Goose Gosling Field.

Joshua DeSilva scored either side of the break to lead BAA. Davin Riley-Clarke scored the lone goal for the visiting side.