Montego Bay United's Dino Williams (green jersey) scored two goals in a draw with visiting D.C. United in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League on September 22, 2015, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. (Photo: Paul Reid)

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica -- If Tim Hankinson was disappointed that his Montego Bay United side faded after a brilliant start against visiting D.C. United in their Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League encounter Tuesday, he had a great way of hiding it. 

Asked whether giving up three goals after leading by the same margin with less than 40 minutes to go was cause for frustration, the 60-year-old American said: “The most important thing is if you look back a few weeks ago when we played D.C. United in Washington and losing 3-0 there and to come back and have the lead that we did and to draw with them, even though we are at home, is a great improvement for the club.” 

Despite not holding on for what would have been a historic victory, Montego Bay United earned its first-ever SCCL point and netted its first goals, including a double from Dino Williams. 

“It’s an important positive to build on especially continuing in the Red Stripe Premier League and for one more CONCACAF game coming up,” Hankinson continued. “It’s also important to understand that entering into an international tournament like that, it is not always about winning at the first time that you are participating. It’s about learning and gaining experience and seeing which players are big game players in matches like that and you draw on that experience and build on it for next year’s to compete even more.” 

Hankinson thought D.C. United, which didn’t win for the first time in eight SCCL group games, might also have some regrets. 

“It works both ways,” he expressed. “D.C. United might be disappointed that they gave up three goals as well and so are we and it might be exciting for the fans to see six goals.” 

Although inexperience may have played a role in the scoreline reversal, Hankinson preferred to look at the encouraging aspects of the performance. 

“Overall -- and particularly in the first half -- that was a brilliant half,” the former Colorado Rapids manager finished. “I would be surprised if you can find any CONCACAF team in the tournament this year that had as brilliant a start as we did tonight and that is going to be something positive for us to build on. 

“Every player that we played tonight, who had played in that first game in D.C., had raised their game in an enormous amount, so we can really be proud of their efforts.”