Central FC's mid-season signing, Ataullah Guerra, returned from injury on Sunday to bag an important winner in a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Defence Force, which kept the "Sharks" in hot contest for this season's million-dollar 2013/2014 Pro League Championship.
Meanwhile the chances of troubled-Defence Force retaining the title have gone from bad to worse, sitting in seventh position with just 17 points — less than half the tally of leaders W Connection (37 points) — despite having five matches in hand.
Central, however, returned to second position on the standings with 29 points, tied with Point Fortin Civic, but ahead by goal-difference, while both are eight points adrift of Connection.
Guerra, a second half substitute, who was sidelined for a month with a right shoulder injury, scored in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to complete the 3-2 Round Three Match Day One victory at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
But Defence Force, who lost defender Rodell Elcock to a second yellow card for a push on Central's Darren Mitchell four minutes from the end of regulation time, had enjoyed a two-goal cushion before the break.
Striker Devorn Jorsling, clearly inspired to do well in honour of close friend and former teammate Kevon Carter, who died of a heart attack two Fridays ago and was buried two days ago, scored twice.
Coach Russ Russell and his men, on an emotional return, looked set for a win against the side that defeated them 3-1 in Round One and 2-0 three weeks ago in Round Two.
Jorsling first converted from the spot in the 17th minute to beat goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams from the spot for a 1-0 army advantage after referee Cicil Hinds awarded penalty following a handball inside the area by Elton John.
And in the 24th minute Jorsling executed a volley, beating Williams a second time for a 2-0 score, when he met Jerwyn Balthazar's perfect cross behind the defence from the right.
Central, had two tries earlier, when striker Willis Plaza's powerful low strike was gathered on the second take by goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke in the 8th minute, and four minutes later the frontman struck wide of the far upright.
Three minutes from the break, the "Sharks" wasted a great opportunity to pull back a goal following a neat exchange by Plaza and Jason Marcano, but the latter's low strike from inside the area was kept out by the outstretched legs of Clarke.
Coach Terry Fenwick responded with a double substitution at the start of the second period, replacing midfielder Leston Paul with Guerra, and former Defence Force player, Samuel Delice, with Rundell Winchester.
But the "Sharks" coach celebrated his team's first and second goals from starters Darren Mitchell and Marcano.
A cheeky pass in the 47th minute by Plaza beating defender Devin Jordan, allowed Mitchell to swoop in, round goalkeeper Clarke, and hit into an open net to reduce the deficit 1-2.
And when a Plaza' cross found it's way to the boot of Mitchell in the 72nd minute, the Tobagonian crack across the six yard area was turned in Marcano, beating Clarke to tie the scores at 2-2.
Moments earlier Clarke was forced to put a Marvin Oliver strike around his near post, and in the 57th minute his team wasted an excellent opening to restore their two-goal advantage following a patient buildup and a neat return pass by Jorsling to set Marvin Jones one-on-one with goalkeeper Williams. However the defender nervously directed a tame effort at Williams, who put the effort behind for a corner.
On the other end Marcano was denied a second, ten minutes from time, by Clarke, who also made a save against Guerra in the second minute of stoppage time. But eventually the Defence Force goalie conceded the dreaded Guerra's strike from the top of the area to suffer defeat.
The soldiers will return to action on Tuesday 11 March at the Ato Boldon Stadium in a rescheduled Round Two Match Day Four fixture against Caledonia AIA from 9 pm, following a 7 pm rescheduled Round Two Match Day Nine clash between North East Stars and Police FC.
Digicel Pro League 2013/2014 Round Three Match Day One results
Friday's results, at the Marvin Lee Stadium
Police FC 0—3 Point Fortin Civic
Marcus Joseph 21’, Andre Toussaint 38’, Kariym Balthazar 90'+
Caledonia AIA 2—3 North East Stars
Densill Theobald 32’ , 85’ ; Trevin Caesar 7’, 61’, Kennedy Hinkson 87’
Saturday's result at the Ato Boldon Stadium
St. Ann's Rangers 0—2 W Connection
Shahdon Winchester 19', 57'
Sunday's result at the Larry Gomes Stadium
Central FC 3—2 Defence Force
Darren Mitchell 47', Jason Marcano 72', Ataullah Guerra 90'+4 ; Devorn Jorsling 17' (PEN), 24'
Teams
Central FC—21. Jan-Michael Williams, 1. Willis Plaza (22. Keion Trim 89th), 2. Elton John, 3. Keion Goodridge (Yellow Card), 7. Jason Marcano, 10. Marvin Oliver (C), 11. Darren Mitchell, 12. Jamal Jack, 27. Samuel Delice (17. Rundell Winchester 46th), 6. Leston Paul (45. Ataullah Guerra 46th), 50. Yohance Marshall
Unused substitutes—4. Sean de Silva, 9. Dwight Quintero, 25. Javon Sample (GK), 24. Akeem Benjamin
Coach—Terry Fenwick
Defence Force—25. Sheldon Clarke, 21. Aklie Edwards (C), 5. Devin Jordan (2. Glynn Franklyn 58th),13. Marvin Jones, 9. Devorn Jorsling (Yellow Card), 6. Rodell Elcock (Yellow Card+Yellow Card=Red), 17. Ross Russell Jr., 15. Jerwyn Balthazar, 4. Dave Long (10. Josimar Belgrave 79th), 8. Curtis Gonzales (Yellow Card), 12. Jemel Sebro (23. Kerry Joseph 70th)
Unused substitutes—1. Kevin Graham (GK), 7. Balondemu Julius, 26. Richard Roy, 18. Sean Narcis
Coach—Ross Russell
Upcoming matches [Digicel Pro League 2013/2014]
Rescheduled Round Two Match Day Nine fixture
Tuesday 11 March 2014
North East Stars vs Police—7 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium
Rescheduled Round Two Match Day Four fixture
Tuesday 11 March 2014
Caledonia AIA vs Defence Force—9 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium