Ainsley Walters, Freelance Reporter

Gregory Lewis (left) of Sporting Central Academy connects with Ziecko Herrera of August Town as they jump to head the ball during National Premier League action at the UWI Bowl on Sunday. August Town won 1-0. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

COACH Jerome Waite cringed and took a while to answer Sunday night when the issue of demotion to Super League football arose following his team's 0-1 loss to Premier League leaders Portmore United.

Defeat pushed Arnett Gardens to the foot of the standings on 32 points, one behind Reno and August Town, with one match left in the third round, Wednesday's home game against defending champions Harbour View.

"It is out there that Arnett will be going down, but we know this team has the credibility and character to go forward, plus we have one game in this round and five in the fourth round left to play," Waite pointed out.

When Waite returned to struggling Arnett near the end of the second round, the Junglists sprung to life, winning back-to-back games at home and went unbeaten in nine games. However, six of those matches were drawn followed by recent third round defeats, which had Arnett hovering dangerously close to the foot of the standings before dropping anchor with Sunday's loss to Portmore at Ferdie Neita Park.

Ricardo Cousins blasted in Portmore's match-winner from close range on the right side of goal in the 50th minute, pouncing on a rebound after Roen Nelson's header off Tyrone Sawyers' cross from the left was pushed to his feet by goalie Julian McLeish.

Cousins' goal fired Portmore five points clear of Tivoli Gardens atop the standings to 61, taking the league leaders further away from Tivoli Gardens, who were beaten 1-0 at Harbour View by Marcellino Blackburn's 66th minute goal but are still a clear second on 56 points with Harbour View and Boys' Town tied on 47.

Whereas the top six teams will be locked in a title race, which realistically should be decided between Portmore and Tivoli, Arnett on 32 points, along with Reno and August Town on 33, will have to fight tooth and nail for survival in the six games left to decide Premiership winners, as well as which two teams will take the plunge to the Super League next season.

Waite said he's not worried and expects better in coming games.

However, all does not seem well in Arnett's camp, especially with two former Jamaica internationals, Onandi Lowe and Fabian Davis, who were both drafted from Portmore United during January's transfer window.

Waite dismissed suggestions that Lowe was suspended but admitted the towering striker was not selected for Sunday's match due to his "training habits" over the past week.

Meanwhile, Davis was openly heard being dressed down by assistant coach Eugene Barnes after being substituted in the second half.

After Davis was substituted, Barnes was overheard scolding the former Reggae Boy, telling him he dared not curse 'bad words' when he was substituted while at Portmore.

Waite, who was nearby, claimed not to have heard the exchange, which was audible from the roof of the clubhouse.

Whereas Waite has quite a job on his hand to rescue Arnett from relegation, Portmore coach Linval Dixon was a contented man after his team outclassed the Junglists, who hardly had a meaningful shot on goal all night.

"We're not calling any shots at this time," Dixon said, commenting on his team's five-point lead with six games to go.

"To be five clear is a good cushion. We just have to keep winning and take it from there," he added.

Portmore United 1

Ricardo Cousins 50th

Arnett Gardens 0