August Town and Humble Lions were both stalled in their bids to secure promotion to top-flight football, following unexpected results in the National Premier League play-offs yesterday.

While Humble Lions were held to a 1-1 draw at the York Community centre by Brazil, leaders August Town went down 2-1 to last-place Wadadah at Jarrett Park. Already favoured to advance and needing only a win to do so, Humble Lions, who were tied with August Town at the top of the table with seven points, found themselves trailing early in their encounter.

Dwayne Gopaulsingh scored in the third minute for the visiting Brazil, and the visitors had things their own way until midway the second half, when a controversial penalty was awarded and Kimroy Davis scored the all-important equaliser.

disappointed

Both coaches were disappointed with the result, but particularly St Ann's David Pryce, who felt that referee Gregory Daley's call was influenced by the behaviour of the home town spectators.

The call was made after the Humble Lions captain, Tyrone Buddah, attempted to flick the ball over the head of defender Orlando Brown. The ball appeared to make contact with Brown's arms, but the referee's delayed reaction and his subsequent whistle appeared to coincide with the crowd's response.

"I think Humble Lions did enough to have scored a clean goal," Pryce said.

"The call is dubious and it hurts, especially the fact that we needed to win this game badly."

NOT HAPPY

Humble Lions coach, Anthony Pringle, was far from happy with his players, who he felt approached the game like they had already qualified.

"I am not happy with how we executed today," said Pringle. "We were not disciplined in midfield and I get the impression that they think that qualifying is easier than it is," he said. The coach is, however, confident that the team will get it right against Wadadah come Sunday.

All but eliminated from the play-offs, Wadadah sprang to life with their unexpected win over the leaders, and could still qualify by winning their next two remaining games. Oneil Selvin put the visitors in the lead in the 50th minute, but Donovan Bernard seemed to have rescued a share of the points for the visitors when he scored in the 73rd. Mark Williams, however, restored Wadadah's lead from the spot in the 79th minute.

Humble Lions now lead the standings with 8 points, August Town are second on 7 points, followed by Wadadah on three and Brazil on two.