A 72nd minute equalizer by Sylvester Teesdale earned T&TEC FC a rare Digicel Pro League point on Saturday night holding Central FC to a 1-1 draw.
Teesdale smashed in a half volley past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip when substitute Lester Edwards headed Angus John's long cross into his path to level the scores and snatch a point.
Central had taken the advantage in the 55th minute from a controversial item credited to--December-January transfer window signing--Jason Marcano.
Referee Cecil Hinds and first assistant Cindy Mohammed made a delayed decision to award Central the go ahead goal after Marcano headed towards goal a flicked-on header by Marvin Oliver off Peter Byers long throw-in from the right.
Both Oliver and Weslie John reacted in attempt to make sure the ball crossed the goal-line and in the process caged goalkeeper Darryl Francis who already went to ground in attempt to stop Marcano's header which clipped the bottom side of the crossbar.
T&TEC cried foul, however Central who defeated the 'Electric Boys' 2-1 in Round One, won their argument that Marcano's looping header had already entered the goal.
But credit to the comeback by T&TEC with a strengthened squad inclusive of the return of former players and team administrators Jade Jones and T&T capped midfielder Joel Bailey.
Saturday's result extended Central's attempt to grab full point since its win against bottom of the table T&TEC last October.
Central, with two matches in hand, moved up a spot into sixth on Saturday with a meager 8 points from 8 matches, a 2:2:4 record, and only ahead of St. Ann's Rangers by goals difference.
While cellar positioned T&TEC remains in a terrible low of 4 points from 10 matches and a 1:1:8 record despite putting on one of its best shifts this season. Its only League win coming against St. Ann's Rangers 3-2 last October.
Had Tigana Sparks hit the target early and/or late in the first half with the goal at his mercy on both occasions, T&TEC would be celebrating much more than a point.
Central could have also found the net in the opening moments but Francis made a fine save pushing Oliver's header off a Hayden Tinto cross onto the crossbar.
And in the 32nd minute Antiguan forward Byers should have done better than hitting directly at Francis from close up.
Result
T&TEC FC 1 - 1 Central FC
Jason Marcano 55' ; Sylvester Teesdale 72'
Teams
T&TEC FC--30.Darryl Francis; 7.Cebastian Bailey, 28.Jade Jones (18.Husani Thomas 76th), 6.Larry Bacchus, 4.Angus John; 10.Daniel Garcia, 38.Mickell Charles; 14.Keeron Benito (capt) (22.Joel Bailey 64th); 9.Sylvester Teesdale (Yellow), 99.Shackiel Henry (29.Lester Edwards 64th), 15.Tigana Sparks.
Unused substitutes: 32.Kelvin Henry, 44.Akiniyel Rouse, 37.Shaquille Ferrier, 46.Nathaniel Garcia.
Coach--Dexter Cyrus.
Central FC--1.Marvin Phillip (capt); 16.Carey Harris, 27.Omar Charles, 33.Weslie John, 3.Keion Goodridge (Yellow) (31.Rennie Britto 60th); 6.Marc Leslie, 25.Justin Fojo; 32.Jason Marcano, 10.Marvin Oliver, 7.Hayden Tinto (37.Johan Peltier 68th); 14.Peter Byers (Yellow) (28.Hector Sam 79th).
Unused substitutes: 13.Shane Mattis, 18.Cyrano Glen, 19.Adrian Noel, 30.Troy Dublin.
Coach--Terry Fenwick.