Arnett Gardens extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches as they fought back twice to hold Racing United to a 2-2 stalemate in an exhilarating Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) fixture at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday.

Tajay Grant (16th) and Jevoun Bascoe (90+1) led Racing’s charge, while the league’s leading scorer Warner Brown (45+3) and substitute Shai Smith (90+1) fired back for Arnett Gardens in a match filled with action and drama, as both teams had their moments of brilliance.

With the point, Arnett Gardens remain second on 58 points, 10 points behind leaders Mount Pleasant FA (68 points), while Montego Bay United—who edged Chapelton Maroons 1-0 in the curtain-raiser of the double-header—remain third on 56 points.

Racing United inched up to 38 points, the same as sixth-placed Waterhouse, but remain in seventh by virtue of a slightly inferior goal difference.

Arnett Gardens head coach, Xavier Gilbert, expressed contentment with the effort of his players.

“To be honest, I am pleased with a lot of aspects of the game. How we played and some moments that we had, especially in the first half, how quickly we moved the ball and kept possession. So for the most part, they did execute well; the only thing I would have preferred is a little bit more width,” Gilbert said post-match.

“But there are some things that we are trying, and we are preparing for different opposition that we think we might meet in the playoffs. So we are trying some things until we find the right combination for Arnett Gardens when situations and circumstances arise,” he added.

It was a lively start to the contest as both teams showed good attacking intent. Brown pulled the first save out of Racing's custodian Omarion Brown when his intended cross fortuitously went on target.

However, it was Racing United that broke the deadlock when Grant capitalized on a penalty awarded for a handball by Arnett Gardens defender Tarique Jones inside the danger area. Arnett Gardens' goalkeeper, Tyrone Williams, saved the initial spot kick, but Grant made no mistake with the rebound as he finished with aplomb for his fifth goal of the season.

Arnett Gardens should have pulled level moments later as they too won a penalty from a similar handball situation. However, Marlon Martin’s 12-yard kick was kept out by Omarion Brown, and the experienced player also made a meal of the rebound, which he fired over the crossbar.

But it is often said that fortune favours the brave, and the “Junglists” through consistent press eventually pulled one back just moments before the halftime whistle. A well-executed cross from Fabian Reid found Warner Brown, who pounced on a defensive error and fired past Brown for his 17th goal of the season as they went to break at 1-1.

Both teams maintained their attacking rhythm on the resumption, much to the delight of the handful of spectators in the stands. It was Racing who looked more threatening in open play, and they should have regained the lead two minutes in from a well-worked build-up, but Grant selfishly opted to shoot over the bar instead of passing to one of his three teammates who were better positioned in the box. 

Arnett Gardens responded with pressure of their own, and in the 53rd minute, Jamone Shepherd’s well-taken free kick tested Omarion Brown, but the Racing goalkeeper was equal to the task to keep the score level.

Racing United continued to threaten and again went close in the 58th minute when a precise cross from Odal Brown found Grant, but his header narrowly missed the target.

The St Catherine-based team inevitably found the go-ahead goal through Bascoe, who, with a moment of individual brilliance, struck a magnificent right-footed shot from over 25 yards out that had Williams well beaten.

Bascoe’s first goal of the season seemingly put Racing United in control of the match and poised for all three points. In fact, Racing should have sealed the win in the 90th when Grant broke away on a counter, but Williams left his line well to deny him in a one-on-one situation.

That heroic stop proved vital as Arnett Gardens took full advantage of a Racing United defensive lapse in the dying moments of the match. This, as Smith reacted quickly to a defender’s fumble and headed past a stranded Brown to secure an important point for Arnett Gardens.

Racing United’s assistant coach, Paul Walker, rued his team’s defensive lapse in the closing stages of both halves.

“We have to be disappointed because the two goals we conceded were in stoppage time, so it is something that we will have to address as we go forward. To be a champion, you have to tighten up on those areas so they have to learn from it, and like I said, we just have to address it going forward. We are getting better game by game, so we just have to go back to the drawing board and work harder,” he noted.