Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

Waterhouse striker Kevin Lamey (left) dribbles the ball away from Portmore United's Omar Campbell during the Digicel Premier League match at Drewsland Mini-Stadium yesterday. The game ended 3-3. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

STRIKER Kevin Lamey yesterday rounded off a thrilling 3-3 see-saw draw between Waterhouse and champions Portmore United, with a classy 85th minute goal at Drewsland.

Portmore United thrice led the Digicel Premier League matchup but Waterhouse came roaring back with exquisite goals after Anthony Modeste converted a pair of first-half penalties for a 3-2 lead.

Scoring opened

The Grenadian international opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Mario Swaby was brought down just inside the area, after his searing run from the left side of midfield was ended by Kurte Gordon.

It was a dubious penalty as it appeared as if Swaby had lost his balance and was already on his way down when the Waterhouse defender, who he had despatched on the edge of the box, came with a second tackle.

Modeste made no mistake from the spot, sending the champions ahead but Waterhouse struck four minutes later when Irvino English's prized left foot drove in a corner, at great pace, from the stands side of the primary school end for Vincent Earle to get a toe-in at the back post.

Waterhouse got two great chances in the next nine minutes. English's free kick from 20 yards dipped and skimmed goalie Shawn Sawyers' crossbar in the 28th. In the 31st, Lamey also hit the crossbar after completely fooling Sawyers, who tore out of goal to shut him down but ran past the ball being shielded by the striker.

In an almost rapid counter-attack, Tremaine Stewart made it 2-1 with a good shot on the run, just inside the box, pouncing on Carlington Smith's pass across the area to leave Maurice Evans admiring his strike.

The goal of the match came in the 41st when Jermaine Anderson met Lamey's square from the left side of the box with the sweetest volley ever, from 22 yards, hitting the chest-high pass over a leaping Sawyers in Portmore's goal to make it 2-2.

However, Portmore had the last laugh of the half as Oneil Thomas was called for a handball, which Modeste again despatched to make it 3-2.

With his team still trailing 15 minutes from time, Waterhouse coach Wayne Fairclough made a trio of changes, bringing on fresh legs in search of the equaliser and got his draw from Lamey, the Drewsland hitman.

Lamey's perfect first-time control, 12 yards inside the box, off English's cross from the right, froze Sawyers on his line and before the Portmore 'keeper could blink the ball was in the back of his net.

Both coaches admitted it was an open game, but said their defences let them down.

Giving up three goals

"We were let down by giving up three goals," said Portmore's Linval Dixon. "I don't know what happened to our defence. We got a draw at Waterhouse but we're disappointed."

Fairclough, whose team continues to leak at the back, no doubt missing the transferred duo of Roger Rodney and Desmond Breakenridge and injured Marco McDonald, said he hoped they would be better within another two to three weeks.

Waterhouse moved to 12 points and Portmore 13, just off Boys' Town which advanced to 15 points with a 3-1 win at Sporting Central Academy; and Harbour View (14), who were due to tackle Tivoli Gardens in the day's late game. Tivoli entered the game on 12 points.