Tivoli Gardens' Jameel Thompson (left) is challenged by Waterhouse's Nicholy Findlayson during the Digicel Premier League football match at Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday. The game ended 1-1. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Defending champions Tivoli Gardens played out a bruising and entertaining 1-1 draw with the rejuvenated Waterhouse outfit in their Digicel Premier League face-off at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex (ESSC) last night.

The result, coupled with St Georges' 0-0 away draw at Humble Lions means that Tivoli (25 points), which have played one less game, remain second in the table, one point behind the Portlanders.

Harbour View are now rubbing shoulders with Tivoli after getting the better of Boys' Town through Marcelino Blackburn's 85th minute strike, while Rivoli and August Town ended 1-1 in their game at Spanish Town Prison Oval.

End-to-end battle

At the ESSC, Waterhouse took the lead in the 29th minute after Jonathan Williams' ferocious 29th minute volley almost bore a hole in goalkeeper Edsel Scott's net after an audacious scoop pass from midfielder Damion Williams found its way to the pint-size player inside the box.

The visitors continued to attack their opponent's goalmouth but failed to find another opening while both teams waged an end-to-end battle, as the pace of the game began to pick up.

It was somewhat against the run of play that the defending champions achieved parity; lanky striker Owen Powell easily outjumped his markers to place his header beyond the outstretched arms of Water-house goalkeeper Richard McCal-lum in the 38th minute.

'TG' should have taken the lead a minute inside the second half, but Horace Sharpe miraculously placed his shot wide after being played clean following a slick passing sequence that involved Navion Boyd and Powell.

Boyd returned to force an acrobatic save out of McCallum in the 65th minute with a thumping shot from the left side of the penalty area.

That was a signal of intent from the host as this launched a series of attacks while they went in search of a winner. Keammar Daley's 25-yard free kick tested McCallum before he was again called to make a reflex save at his near-post from a Jameel Thompson effort shortly afterwards.

Tivoli's coach Lenworth Hyde Sr was pleased with the way his team played but was left a little disappointed with the points dropped.

Coaches disappointed

"We played a very good game, we gave up a goal but were able to fight back, I am happy with our attempt," said Hyde. "Their goalkeeper did very well here today but I am somewhat disappointed with the result, seeing that we were playing at home and we always want to win."

Waterhouse's Geoffrey Maxwell demanded more from his midfield players.

"(I am) disappointed. I felt that we had the game to win, especially after taking the lead, but my midfield players let me down today. They did not play to instructions and the execution was just not there. However, I am happy with the effort because Tivoli are playing well and they were playing at home," Maxwell said.