A 70th-minute strike from free-kick specialist Daniel Shaw earned leaders St Georges a 1-1 draw with Arnett Gardens in the Digicel Premier League at Lynch Park yesterday.

Cornel Chin-Sue had earlier given Arnett the lead from a similar spot kick.

The home team's coach, Braxton Hyre, welcomed the shared points. With the point St Georges moved to 25, one ahead of Tivoli Gardens, who were idle yesterday.

"We played an evenly contested game," Hyre said. "Arnett took the lead by way of a free-kick taken by Chin-Sue, which was brilliant. But Shaw's spot kick from nearly 24 yards out was spectacular. We played a bit tentative in the first half, but lifted our game in the second. High praises to the players, who gave it their best, following the losing effort against Tivoli last Sunday."

Good possession

Both teams enjoyed good possession in the first half, which saw Arnett attacking through Ryan Reid, Leon Strickland, the over-lapping Chin-Sue, and Kevin King, who threatened the home team's defence. But despite the absence of captain and national defender Jermaine Taylor, who is away on national duties, his brother Ricardo, Dwayne Holmes, Omar Davis, and Keion Clunis, stood firm.

At the other end, stand-in captain Leon Irving was as skillful as ever, and he was supported by Romeo Parkes, Ricardo Scott, and Ushane Dobson, who attacked their opponents purposefully.

At the start of the second half, Shaw replaced Scott, and Georges, cheered on by the capacity crowd, started to lift their game. They were, however, denied by good defensive work from Nicora Plummer, Rasheede Clarke, and Anthowe Dawkins.

Right footer

Arnett surged ahead in the 68th minute after Clunis committed a foul near the edge of his team 18-yard box. Chin-Sue stepped forward and fired a right footer which went in off the right post.Two minutes later, Georges were level when Shaw sent a thunderous right footer into the left side of the net. He was cautioned for excessive celebrations.

Arnett's coach, Fabian Davis, lauded his team for the shared points, and noted that it was always going to be difficult at Lynch Park.

"We were well prepared for this game," he said. "It is a good result for us, as Georges have been playing well. My team gave it their all in the second half, so I cannot complain. To secure a point here at Lynch Park is a plus for us."

St Georges 1 (Daniel Shaw 70th) Arnett 1 (Cornell Chin-Sue 68th)