AUGUST TOWN stayed atop the Jamaica Football Federation's Digicel Premier League (DPL) qualification series on goal difference, after achieving a 1-1 draw with Humble Lion at York Town Oval yesterday.

The day's other fixture between first-round losers Wadadah and Brazil was washed out at the Urban Development Corporation field in St James.

Deon Sterling gave Humble Lion the lead in the 50th minute, but Nicholas McCreath equalised for dominant August Town at the 58th.

Both teams are tied on four points, having earned victories in the first round when August Town had beaten St James' Wadadah 2-0 and Humble Lion turned back St Ann's Brazil 1-0.

Four-match elimination

The top two in the four-match elimination will qualify for next season's DPL.

The Clarendon team's fans invaded the field yesterday after Sterling kept his cool to effect a sliding grounder past Devon Haughton, to hand Humble Lion the lead.

However, the home side looked far from settled throughout the game, either in defence or attack, and August Town always looked dangerous, penetrating their centre almost at will.

McCreath's goal was preceded by Terrence Allen's thunderous 30-yard free-kick, which crashed on to the crossbar, without the home side getting a proper clearance.

McCreath darted in to direct an intelligent header into the top corner of the upright, with the seemingly dazed goalie, Waldo Ricketts, out of position.

Hurried clearances

August Town looked the better technicians on and off the ball and following a flurry of hurried clearances in the last 10 minutes, the home team may have been lucky to hold on for a draw.

August Town's coach, Calvert Fitzgerald, said: "You always want to win, but playing without three of our starters today we felt thankful for the draw because as long as we don't lose any games we're always going to keep in contention."

A subdued Anthony Pringle, coach of Humble Lion, told The Gleaner: "We're not satisfied, but we feel good. We wanted to win at home but I don't think that the team stuck to the game plan well enough.

"What worries me is how we gave back the goal so quickly. I think it's just a bad day for us."

The next round takes place on Wednesday with August Town hosting Brazil, while Wadadah will host Humble Lion.