Dandy Town 1

Devonshire Cougars 1

A dramatic climax at St. John's Road earned Devonshire Cougars a hard-fought draw with leaders Dandy Town in their Premier Division battle yesterday.

Just as the visitors seemed doomed to a frustrating loss ? despite having enjoyed the better scoring opportunities ? an injury-time penalty heralded a reprieve. Ace striker Raymond Beach stepped forward and coolly compensated for what he failed to achieve in 90 minutes of action.

Sending Town keeper, Jason Smith, the wrong way, Beach slotted the ball into the net's bottom, left corner to level the scoreline 1-1 and seconds later referee Tony Mouchette blew the final whistle.

As both teams left the pitch, debate raged over the decisive off-the-ball foul ? committed by Town defender Randy Swan ? that led to the equaliser.

What no-one could dispute though was that, based on performance, Cougars did deserve to split the points with Town. They went so close on so many occasions and shot at goal with greater regularity than the home team but, for some reason, the ball would just not go into the net.

Holding their heads in agony with each attempt that squirted past the uprights or the crossbar, strike partners Beach and Heys Wolfe must have wondered what more they needed to do to get Cougars on the scoresheet.

The first half got off to a ragged start with both teams being let down in their midfield build-ups. On the odd occasion that either team ventured into dangerous territory, the finishing skills were lacking or the shots hardly tested the respective goalies.

After a first-half stalemate, the irrepressible Khano Smith got Town off to the perfect start in the second half, hitting the mark in the opening play. Jared Peniston delivered an accurate cross from the right flank for his colleague to do the rest from point-blank range.

Smith was denied a second success a few minutes later as keeper Ricardo Brangman dived to parry the ball out of the enemy's way just in front the left post.

At the other end, Cougars were pressing their claim and they could have been forgiven for thinking someone was moving the goalposts on them as the ball eluded the net in every conceivable manner.

Beach hit the upright and headed agonisingly wide while nobody was in the right position to finish two polished crosses from Wolfe.

Kwame Steede also had a few near chances and substitute Kori Goddard hit over the crossbar. At other times, good goalkeeping by Smith and stout resistance by Town kept their rivals out.

Just as Town's defence would have been patting themselves on the back for a job successfully done ? if not always well done ? Swan was cited for his indiscretion.

To Cougars, it mattered not that home fans erupted in objection. All they cared was that Beach deliver on this last-gasp opportunity ? and he did.

Dandy Town: J.Smith, J.Robinson, D.Lawler, R.Swan, C.Anderson, L.Furbert, C.Smith, K.Smith, S.Tuzo (M.Lowe, 78 mins), J.Peniston (S.Wilson, 90 mins), L.Dill (R.Tucker, 60 mins). R.Brangman, J.Butterfield, J.Deshields, O.Butterfield, S.Smith, K.Martin (S.Wade, 80 mins), K.Steede, D.Eve, H.Wolfe, R.Beach, S.Minors (K.Goddard, 74 mins). M.Lowe (Dandy Town); R.Beach (Devonshire). C.Anderson (Dandy Town); R.Beach (Devonshire).

T.Mouchette.