Just under 4,000 fans turned up for the Andaman Derby match – several hundred of whom had bussed in from across the Phang Nga Bay.
There were chances enjoyed by both clubs, and a handful of set plays awarded from the back and forth opening touches, but the two Southern clubs looked fated for a stale mate.
But it was The Ronins who gained the advantage late in the first half with a goal credited to Alef Poji, whose shot into the Krabi box from the right flank, was helped in by a deflection off the head of Krabi’s Ivorian defender Kone Seydou.
Krabi’s other Ivorian, Kassiaty Labi – a midfielder who turns 31 on Wednesday – got an early start on his celebrations on his birthday, however, after in the 78th minute drove home the equalizer with his flawless left foot to the far post from just the top of the box.
Reinforcements from both benches accompanied a number of chances on both sides of the pitch through to four minutes of injury time, but the score would remain at deadlock through to the final whistle.
For video highlights, courtesy of Siam Sports Syndicate, click here.
Krabi remain in 16th place with 10 points after 11 matches, and depending on the results of matches tonight Phuket’s position could drop a few spots.
Despite a negative goal difference of three, Phuket have 17 points, 10 less than runaway league leaders Police United, who appear destined to return to the Thai Premier League next season.
Meanwhile, the Ronins will hit the road again, on Wednesday set to take on the 10th placed Bangkok FC “Iron Bulls”, who have 14 points but with two games in hand.
Scheduled for a 7pm kickoff, the match will be played at the Chalermprakiet Stadium in Thonburi’s Bang Mod district, in front of an energetic and sometimes rowdy “Bulligans” crowd.
Win, lose or draw, Phuket FC will then return home for a league fixture against the Thai Tobacco Monopoly next Sunday (May 10) at Surakul Stadium.
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