CLARENDON PARK, Clarendon — Devon Hodges scored his 14th goal of the season, but still could not prevent his Rivoli United team from a heart-wrenching 2-1 defeat against Sporting Central Academy at Brancourt, as the second round of the Digicel Premier League came to a close yesterday.

Hodges gave Rivoli the lead in the 12th minute, while second-half substitutes Alanzo Adlam (83rd) and Levaughn Williams (90th) snatched victory for Sporting Central.

The victory pushed Sporting to 28 points, which consolidates their top-six position, while Rivoli’s loss means that they are now joined on 22 points in seventh place with three other teams — Portmore United, Humble Lions and August Town who defeated Humble Lions 1-0 at Effortville courtesy of a Marvin Stewart 66th-minute strike.

Sporting Central started the game looking the better team by making numerous runs in Rivoli’s goal area, but it was the visitors who made the first impact of the half when Hodges earned his chart-topping 14th goal with a curling free-kick into the lower right-hand corner of the goal.

In an obvious move to kill off the game, Rivoli made a triple substitution in the 81st minute, bringing on two defenders and taking out their frontman, Hodges, but this proved to be their downfall, as no sooner than the changes were made, Sporting found the equaliser.

Adlam — arguably the smallest player in the league — rose high above the taller Rivoli defenders to head home in the 83rd minute, sending the home supporters in a frenzy.

Rather than holding on for the draw, Sporting Central smelled blood and went for the jugular, as national Under-20 player Williams repaid his coach for bringing him on when he hit a bullet of a shot from some 25 yards out past Leon Goffe in goal.

Teams:

Sporting Central Academy — Andre Blake, Dale Watson, Marlon Allen, Keithy Simpson, Javaughn Watson, Kadian Wynter, Camaal Reid, Oneke Ford (Francois Swaby 52nd), Hughan Grey (Alanzo Adlam 62nd), Damarly Samuels, Romaine Barnes (Levaughn Williams 69th).

Subs not used: Tristan Huntley, Jamoly Powell, Tristan Huntley, Christopher Banner, Terry Alves

Booked: Wynter (92nd), J Watson (57th), Swaby (92nd)

Rivoli United — Leon Goffe, Martin King (Jermaine Oakley 81st), Ricardo Knight, Omar Parker, Owen Baker, Barrington Planter, Devon Hodges (Osvaldo Hunter 81st), Derrick Planter, Kemar Brown (Abayomi Daquilar 81st), Fidel Anderson, Valentine Gardner.

Subs not used: Fabian Gordon, David Lewis, Marlon Henry, Brandon Bennett, Ocane Williamson

Booked: King (70th)

Referee: Lewin Purser

Assistants: Steven Brown, Stacy-Ann Greyson Fourth Official: Cordella Samuels

Match Commissary: Ewan Scott