S-LEAGUE Home United 1 Tampines Rovers 1

He has created goals for his team-mates, but Jermaine Pennant had yet to score his first competitive goal for Tampines Rovers - until last night at the Bishan Stadium.

In front of 3,551 fans, the biggest crowd so far this S-League season, the former Liverpool and Arsenal winger curled a superb free kick to open his account for the Stags.

Such was the precision and power of his 40th-minute strike which drew Tampines level, that Home goalkeeper Hyrulnizam Juma'at was rooted to his spot as the free kick curved in.

The goal, however, failed to spur Tampines on to victory as the match ended 1-1. But the S-League's record signing was still pleased to get his first goal.

"It doesn't matter how I score," said the Briton. "It could be off my back or off my head, as long as it goes in. To get the first goal for the club is always nice and I have been practising these free kicks my whole career."

Home's coach Philippe Aw, however, was more impressed with his side's 35th-minute opener.

Danish forward Ken Ilso twisted and tricked his way down the left flank and held off a couple of Tampines defenders before firing past goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud. It was also his first of the season.

"We have to give credit to Pennant for his goal, but ours was better because we had planned to sit back and score on the counter," Aw said.

Home came closest to winning the match but substitute Irfan Fandi saw his header cleared off the line in the 80th minute.

They remain winless after three matches and will next travel to Brunei to face DPMM on March 11.

Tampines have two AFC Cup fixtures coming up, against Selangor and Ceres La Salle on March 8 and March 15 respectively, before their next S-League game, also against DPMM on March 19 in Brunei.

In the night's other S-League match, Geylang International drew 0-0 with Balestier Khalsa.