Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

STRIKER Roen Nelson yesterday missed at least three chances to hand Portmore United the lead in the Cash Plus Premier League, during his team's 0-0 draw with defending champions Harbour View at Ferdie Neita Park.

Nelson, who hit a four-timer on his return to the Premiership two rounds ago, got clear chances in either half, playing as a lone striker in Portmore's 4-5-1 formation.

Portmore's packed midfield had shut down Harbour View's attacking flair, limiting the defending champions to just one shot on goal in the first half - a sharp chance by Fabian Taylor which was blocked by goalie Shawn Sawyers seconds before the half-time break.

However, second-place Portmore failed to capitalise on one-point leaders Tivoli's 0-0 draw at Boys' Town after getting the better chances of the goalless draw.

The homesters first went close in the 11th minute when midfielder Wolry Wolfe's 22-yard free kick had goalkeeper Dwayne Miller going full stretch to tip over his crossbar for a corner.

Nelson got his first chance two minutes before the break, pouncing on a rebound just on the left side of the six-yard box, but Miller did well to guard his near post.

First chance

After the break, Nelson got two clear chances, the first being a sitter in the 53rd minute when Miller charged out of goal and palmed Ryan Powell's left-side cross to the Portmore striker's feet near the penalty spot. Nelson's shot, under pressure from defender Jermaine Taylor, went wide of the mark, much to the disbelief of the home fans.

The stocky striker, who again represented Joe Public in the Trinidad and Tobago pro league last season, outjumped Harbour View's defence four minutes later on the edge of the six-yard box but flashed his header just over the bar.

Harbour View's top strikers, Taylor and Kavin Bryan, were kept in check by Portmore's midfield and defence for most of the game, leaving it to substitute Loxley Thomas to almost steal the game for the champions seconds before the final whistle.

Long-range shot

Thomas, who came on for Donald Stewart in the 89th minute, struck a long-range shot from 30-odd yards in the final minute of stoppage time, rattling a leaping Sawyers' crossbar.

Portmore coach Linval Dixon admitted he packed his midfield to nullify Harbour View's attackers.

"We had to shut down the midfield where they have two dangerous strikers," he explained. "We got a couple chances to put the game away but we didn't have our shooting boots today at all," he added.

Harbour View's Lenny Hyde said it was an attractive and evenly contested game.

"I think we created scoring chances in the second half but they had a good game, especially at the back," he pointed out.