Ten-man Instant-Dict overcame the loss of rangy striker Rochi Putiray to share the spoils with rivals South China 1-1 in the Hong Kong First Division at Mongkok Stadium last night.
Indonesian international Putiray played hero and then villain, putting the Dickies ahead in the 18th minute, but was sent off with half an hour still to play after picking up his second yellow card following a dangerous tackle on South China defender Cristiano Cordeiro.
Kwok Ka-ming's charges were still able to make a fight of it as the Dickies held on until the bitter end after South China midfielder Poon Man-tik levelled the score with a soft equaliser in the 50th minute.
Kwok was pleased to pinch a point in the championship phase match despite finishing with 10 men before a crowd of 2,788 spectators.
'I can't say whether it was a harsh decision by the referee or not to send Rochi off. It was the referee's decision and it was a pity that he was sent off, otherwise we would have had a good chance of taking all three points,' said Kwok.
'We still created good chances with 10 men and I have to be satisfied with this performance.'