Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

An equalising goal in the fourth minute of time added by Humble Lion's Jermaine Christian denied Arnett Gardens' Kirk Ramsay - who gave his team a 63rd-minute lead in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) feature - an opportunity to triumph over the grief hanging over his life.

The Arnett Gardens captain, who lost the mother of his soon-to-be two-year-old son on Saturday, said the only way to get the grief out of his system was to play the game and give of his best in her honour.

"It is very hard, but I had to just do something. I played the match to get the situation off my mind and I tell you that goal was really special. It was for her," said Ramsay, who lifted his shirt to reveal a picture of her in celebration of his goal. He was promptly shown a yellow card.

Had Ramsay shown the kind of composure he displayed in converting his first strike, he could have had a second and given his team the victory when he was played through in the 90th minute, but booted high. That goal and a victory would have done much for his spirit.

"We could have won it and I am very disappointed that we didn't. I am disappointed for the team and for myself. I had the last chance for the team and with a little more composure I could have done it," he said.

"I really do not feel well right now. Going through all that I am going through right now only three points could have lifted me. One point just does not do it," the disappointed man said.

But while Ramsay did not think the point was good enough, it was enough to lift his team back into fourth position, just behind Montego Bay United and one place above Boys' Town - who have a superior and inferior goal difference - respectively.

Humble Lion, with the point earned, reopened their lead over the 11th-placed Highgate to four points, the same as ninth-placed Tivoli Gardens, but with an inferior goal difference.

COMPETITIVE GAME

It was a competitive, if not spectacular game, in which the players struggled to deal with the soggy underfoot conditions. That changed with the introduction of Errol Stevens - his first run for the season - and Lamar Nelson, in the 61st minute. Arnett Gardens looked a different team and were clearly the better team.

Both Stevens and Nelson delighted with their ball artistry and clever one-touch football, and when Ramsay shot home one-time from a Fabian Reid cutback from a move which started with a long pass out of midfield by Marcelino Blackburn, it appeared as if the floodgates were about to open.

That was not to be as Humble Lion played a disciplined game and sought to hit Arnett Gardens on the counter.

Humble Lion's approach paid off as defender Ricardo Campbell transformed himself from potential villain into hero. He barged Blackburn off the ball to the right of his 18-yard box and the free kick created the chance for Ramsay to add a second, but he missed.

In their next attacking move following Ramsay's miss, Campbell hustled forward and crossed from the right flank for Christian to head into the upper left hand corner of the goal to level the score. Goalkeeper Damion Hyatt had no chance.