Out-of-favour national striker Devorn Jorsling scored at the death as former multiple Digicel T&T Pro League champions, Defence Force pipped leaders Central FC 1-0 which ended the match with ten men at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Tuesday night.
The win lifted the "Teteron Boys" into a three-way tie with defending champions DirecTV W Connection and Japs North East Stars all with 23 points while Central FC remained with is six-point lead.
However, while Central FC and Stars have played 13 matches each, W Connection and Defence Force have played 12 apiece.
Going into Tuesday's match, Central had a golden chance to extend its cushion at the top to nine points after Pt Fortin Civic stunned W Connection 2-1 at the Mahaica Oval earlier in the day.
But they found the going tough against Defence Force and was lucky not to be reduced to ten men in the 32nd minute when goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, handled the ball outside the 18-yard box to deny Defence Force and only got a yellow card.
In the 53rd minute Central FC had its best chance on goal when Ataulla Guerra set up Jamal Jack with a back-heeled pass, however, the latter's blast cannoned off the bar with goalkeeper Sheldon Clarke beaten.
Five minutes later, Central was dealt a blow when Guerra was shown a straight red card by referee Dave Daniel for lashing out at Dave Long near the centre of the field.
Despite the man advantage, Defence Force failed to get an opening with Roy having an 82nd minute header tipped over by Williams while at the other end of the field, Jack had another attempt following a solo run, before his deflected effort flew high over.
Jorlsing was then introduced with three minutes left for defender Jerlani Felix, and three minutes into stoppage time, he made coach Marvin Gordon's switch look like a genius move when he slid in between a crowd of players at the edge of the six-yard box to turn in a low Marvin Jones cross for the match winner, ending Central's five-match winning streak halted.
It was the fifth league goal of the season for Jorsling, and 120th overall in his Pro League career, nine behind San Juan Jabloteh's Kerry Baptiste, who is the all-time leader with 129 goals.
In the day's other late match at Couva, Caledonia came from behind to whip St Ann's Rangers 4-1 and snap a five-match losing skid, while at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, North East Stars spanked Police 3-1
Tomorrow, matches continue with a double-header at Macoya from 6pm.
In the opener, Police faces Caledonia AIA, and two hours later, Central FC comes up against Jabloteh.
On Satuday, Pt Fortin Civic hosts St Ann's Rangers, and at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, W Connection battles Defence Force.
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Leading goalscorers:
8 - Purnell Schultz (Caledonia), Ataulla Guerra (Central FC)
7 - Richard Roy (Defence Force), Kerry Baptiste (San Juan Jabloteh), Jerrel Britto (W Connection)
5 - Marvin Oliver (Central), Marcus Joseph (Pt Fortin Civic), Neil Benjamin (W Connection), Willis Plaza (Central FC), Devorn Jorsling (Defence Force)
4 - Sean De Silva, Jason Marcano (Central FC), Andre Toussaint (Pt Fortin Civic), Noel Williams (Police), Akeem Garcia (W Connection), Todd Ryan (Police)
3 - Kennedy Isles (St Ann's Rangers), Jamille Boatswain (Pt Fortin Civic), Nathaniel Lewis (Caledonia), Hashim Arcia (W Connection), Keron Cummings (North East Stars)
Upcoming matches:
Tomorrow (Friday February 6):
Venue: Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya
Police FC vs Caledonia AIA, 6 pm
Central FC vs San Juan Jabloteh, 8 pm
Saturday February 7:
Pt Fortin Civic vs St Ann's Rangers, Mahaica Oval, Pt Fortin, 4 pm
W Connection vs Defence Force, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, 4 pm
Current Digicel T&T Pro League standings
Teams P W D L F A Pts
Central FC 13 9 2 2 34 10 29
W Connection 12 7 2 3 26 8 23
North East Stars 13 7 2 4 14 9 23
Defence Force 12 7 2 3 19 15 23
Jabloteh 12 4 4 4 17 18 16
Pt Fortin Civic 12 4 2 6 21 21 14
Caledonia 12 4 2 6 20 23 14
Police 13 3 5 5 16 29 14
Rangers 13 0 1 12 9 43 1
Tuesday's Digicel Pro League results:
Pt Fortin Civic 2 (Andre Toussaint 2nd, Jamille Boatswain 74th) vs W Connection 1 (Jerrel Britto 42nd)
Caledonia 4 (Nathan Lewis 29th, Pernell Schultz 34th, Domini Garnett 55th, Conrod Smith 83rd) vs St Ann's Rangers 1 (Kennedy Isles 19th)
Defence Force 1 (Devorn Jorsling 90'+) vs Central FC 0
North East Stars 3 (Keron Cummings 46th, Keryn Navarro 76th, Dwane James 86th) vs Police FC 1 (Todd Ryan 90'+)
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