Avon Wright of Calabar (left) tries to keep possession of the ball ahead of Excelsior's Phillip Biggs during the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup clash at Constant Spring Complex. The game ended 2-2. - ricardo makyn

St Andrew Technical's (STATHS) impressive run in the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup continued yesterday following a come-from-behind 2-1 win over surprise second-round contenders, Tivoli Gardens, at the Constant Spring Complex.

The boys from Bumper Hall, who were outstanding in the first round of the competition before bowing out at the quarter-final round of the Walker Cup KO, rallied from a goal down at half-time to pip Tivoli, courtesy of strikes from Diego Haughton in the 50th and 61st minutes.

Tied on four points

The win, after Excelsior and Calabar battled to an exciting 2-2, moved STATHS to four points and into sole leadership of the group.

Excelsior and Calabar are tied in mid-table on two points each while Tivoli are on one.

Only group winners are automatically assured of a place in the semi-finals of the championship, with the best second-place team of the three second-round groups slated to join them.

"It was a good win as we played 90 minutes of football," said STATHS coach, Keith Nichol, who saw his team go down 1-0 after Necas Collins netted for Tivoli. "We are now in the driver's seat, and the hope is that we will maintain that position until end of the final game against Calabar - a game that we will be taking seriously given the fact that for the past three seasons they have been knocking us out of the Manning Cup," he added.

Dramatic draw

In the Excelsior, Calabar match-up, the latter came from two goals down to snatch a dramatic draw. Excelsior took the lead in the 44th minute through Valentino Fogo and two minutes in the second half increased their lead through Nico Brett.

But playing what could easily be described as their most inspirational football of the second round, Calabar refused to lay down and die and in the the 59th and 77th minutes came roaring back through goals from Richard Lewis and Richard Edite.

The competition continues today with action in Group Three with Waterford High taking on St George's College at 1 p.m., and Jamaica College going up against Eltham at 3 p.m. at the UWI Bowl.

daCosta Inter-zone final round

western bureau

While a point will be enough for Frome, Dinthill, St Thomas and Lennon High, several other teams will be facing must-win situations in this afternoon's final round of inter-zone games if they hope to advance to the eight-team quarter-finals of the 2008 ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel daCosta Cup.

Today's matches

Godfrey Stewart vs Frome at Frome 3 p.m.

Marcus Garvey vs Cornwall at Drax Hall 3 p.m.

Spaldings vs Clarendon at Kirkvine 1 p.m.

Manchester vs STETHS at Kirkvine 3 p.m.

Old Harbour vs Bog Walk at Jamalco 1 p.m.

Lennon vs. Christiana at Jamalco 3 p.m.

St Mary Tech vs St Thomas Tech at Richmond Prison 3 p.m.

Paul Bogle vs Annotto Bay at York Oval 3 p.m.

Rusea's vs Grange Hill at Jarrett Park 1 p.m.

St James vs. Cedric Titus at Jarrett Park 3 p.m.

Lacovia vs Glenmuir at Prison Oval Field 3 p.m.