Jamaica's Theodore Whitemore (c) tries to split the Honduras defense. (AP)

The Reggae Boyz scored through Ricardo Gardner after 56 minutes, saved a penalty in the 72nd minute but conceded an equaliser to Samuel Caballero eight minutes later.

Jamaica, who were without skipper Linval Dixon and defender Christopher Dawes, the suspended Tyrone Marshall and injured duo Daryl Powell and Barry Hayles, are now fourth in the six-team group.

They are level on four points with second-placed Costa Rica and third-placed Mexcio, and five points adrift of leaders the United States.

Despite some wonderful one-touch passing and exciting dribbles in midfield, strikers Onandi Lowe and Deon Burton failed to impress when it mattered.

The Reggae Boyz dominance was finally rewarded when they took the lead early in the second half. A right-sided corner by Gardner curled between two Hondurans at the near post and beat goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

As the Hondurans began to lift their game, they brought out the best in goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who rescued his side with a brilliant penalty save.

An attack by Honduras down the left flank by substitute Julio Leon resulted in Fabian Davis fouling the speedy player inside the box, prompting Brazilian referee Carlos Simon to point to the spot.

Reynaldo Calvasquin hit his penalty kick powerfully to the right of Ricketts but the 'keeper saved it.

Honduras equalised when a corner on the right by Calvasquin found Caballero, who earned a free header inside the Jamaica box and nodded past Ricketts.

Despite the disappointment of a draw at home, technical director of the Jamaica team Clovis de Oliviera had high praise for his team.

"Our passing was superb...it is the best the team has played since I started coaching them," he said. "It's just unfortunate that we gave up a goal from a dead-ball situation again.

"This draw does not seriously affect our chances of qualifying for the World Cup. The way we are playing, we can go away and gain a lot of points. We can win on the road."

Teams:

Jamaica - Donovan Ricketts, Fabian Davis, Ian Goodison, Shavar Thomas, Marco McDonald, Ricardo Gardner, Jaimie Lawrence, Theodore Whitmore, Andrew Williams, Deon Burton, Onandi Lowe.

Honduras - Noel Valladares, Samuel Caballero, Ninrod Medina, Reynaldo Calvasquin, Amado Guevara, Milton Nunez, Carlos Pavon, Maynor Suazo, Rony Morales, Marco Mejia and Jaime Rosales.