The World Cup dream is still alive.

Ricardo Fuller, the man who was involved in a bust-up with teammates Damion and Demar Stewart on Thursday night, displayed similar fighting spirit last night as his 14th-minute goal helped Jamaica edge Mexico 1-0 at the National Stadium in their make-or-break CONCACAF World Cup Semi-Final round qualifier.

Jamaican forward Luton Shelton (centre) battles Mexico's Johnny Magallon (right) for a high ball while Ricardo Fuller waits to get into the action during their CONCACAF World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium last night. Jamaica won, 1-0. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

The result kept the nation's slim hopes of advancing to the final round alive, as the Boyz now move off the bottom of the four-team standing with four points. At half-time in the other game in San Pedro Sula, the home team Honduras led Canada 1-0.

Mexico, who entered the game needing a point to ensure qualification to the next round, lead on nine points, followed by Honduras on six, pending the result of their game.

It was the first loss for the Mexicans in this edition of the World Cup qualifying campaign, and their second in this tournament to Jamaica at the National Stadium. They lost to an Ian 'Pepe' Goodison header in November 1996. They also lost 1-3 in a friendly in 1975.

Striker Ricardo Fuller (centre) celebrates his goal with Jamaican teammate Demar Phillips (left) while Mexican star Giovanni Dos Santos looks on during their CONCACAF World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium last night. Jamaica won, 1-0. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Jamaica will now try to secure a similar result against Honduras when they visit for Wednesday's 7:00 pm encounter.

The Mexicans were the first to threaten at goal when Fernando Arce got behind the Jamaican defence, but he failed to test Donovan Ricketts in goal.

The Boyz replied when captain Ricardo Gardner fired in a free kick from the right hand side of the pitch creating anxious moments for Mexico, forcing goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez to punch away to safety.

But Fuller settled the Boyz's nerves early on when he picked off a pass from strike partner Luton Shelton midway the opponents' half, and after turning inside, the Stoke City marksman unleashed a left footer which looped over the flailing hands of Sanchez and nestled into the net.

The CONCACAF kingpins responded with a lightning counter-attack midway the first half which involved intricate inter-passing, but when the final ball was played to Arsenal's Carlos Vela, his shot was blocked for a corner.

Moments later Jamaica returned the trick when Jamal Campbell-Ryce, one of the victims of Rene Simoes' mysterious omission policy, released Fuller down the right hand side and the wily forward produced an early centre pass for the onrushing Shelton. But the latter's first touch was too heavy and the glorious opportunity to add to the lead went abegging as the ball rolled harmlessly into touch.

Mexico, with their superb ball control and untiring movements, assumed control of the game and dictated the tempo from midfield but they found the Jamaican defence giving no quarters.

On the other hand, the home side was always dangerous on the counter and from set pieces. And it was from one of those set pieces, a free kick from Gardner on the right which threatened Sanchez's goal, but the goalkeeper did well to punch clear and keep his team only a goal down at the break.

The Mexicans started the second half in the same positive mood as they ended the first half and within minutes defender Carlos Salcido was presented with a gift when he was left unmarked at the near post to execute a powerful low header from six yards, but Ricketts proved equal to the task, himself executing a remarkable reflex save.

Then Campbell-Ryce, who was a nightmare for Mexico's Salcido on Jamaica's right flank, again did good work on the hour mark to create space and provide a cross which was just cleared off Fuller's head.

But Gardner pounced on the rebound, hitting a fierce half-volley which was coughed up by Sanchez, but luckily an alert defender cleared the danger.

The game then degenerated into a battle of grit and determination from both teams as referee Walter Cordero of Costa Rica got busy issuing yellow cards.

And even with four minutes of time added, the Reggae Boyz rearguard, led superbly by Tyrone Marshall, Ian Goodison, Claude Davis and then Damion 'Stew Peas' Stewart, proved too much for the Mexicans, and many Jamaicans were left to wonder what could have been had Simoes selected the best players in the earlier games in the round.

Sven Goran Eriksson and his players will have enough time to ponder their first loss of the qualifying campaign during their long flight to Canada today. They need only a draw to advance to the Final Round of six.

Jamaica - Donovan Ricketts, Tyrone Marshall, Ian Goodison, Claude Davis (Damion Stewart 75th), Oneil Thompson (Jermaine Johnson 79th), Demar Phillips, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Rudolph Austin, Ricardo Gardner, Ricardo Fuller (Omar Cummings 71st), Luton Shelton.

Booked: Fuller (37th), Austin (62nd), Marshall (68th), Thompson (76th)
Subs not used: Shawn Sawyers, Shavar Thomas, Wolry Wolfe, Dane Richards.

Mexico - Oswalde Sanchez, Jonny Magallon, Carlos Salcido, Rafael Marquez, Ricardo Osorio (Aaron Galindo 56th), Gerardo Torrado, Luis Pepez (Omar Arellano 70th), Omar Bravo (Vicente Matias 57th), Carlos Vela, Fernando Arce, Giovani Dos Santos.
Booked: Marquez (74th), Salcido (77th), Vela 90th+)
Subs not used: Guillermo Ochoa, Aaron Galindo, Hector Moreno, Francisco Torres, Carlos Ochoa, Vicente Matias, Omar Arellano.

Referee: Walter Cordero (Costa Rica)
Assistant Referees: Leonel Bermudez, Osvaldo Gutierrez (Costa Rica)

Fourth Official: Vinicio Solano (Costa Rica)
Match Commissary: Hugo Salcedo (USA)
Referee Assessor: Osmond Downer (T&T)

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