Vanado Manning’s third-minute strike was enough to carry Arnett Gardens to a 1-0 win over Humble Lion, but more importantly, all but secured the team’s Premier League status.

Arnett Gardens now join Humble Lion and Rivoli United on 42 points with one round of games remaining. The three teams are two points above the relegation zone, but Arnett Gardens only need to avoid a huge defeat to the already demoted August Town next week to secure their status.

At the Tony Spaulding Complex, debutant Manning gave the host an early lead when he smashed a volley past Shawn Sawyers from the edge of the area, after the ball was partially cleared.

Kimroy Davis almost replied immediately for the visitors, but Julian McLeish tipped the midfielder’s rasping free-kick over for a corner.

Humble Lion dominated majority of the possession, but it was Arnett Gardens who had the chances to add to their lead.

Newton Sterling flashed a header wide in the 14th minute and volleyed a glorious chance wide from six yards in the 35th.

Captain Rohan Reid also volleyed an easy chance over from inside the area minutes later, while Gerald Neil had a rasping shot that kissed the bar and went over in the 43rd.

After the break, Humble Lion continued to have the better of the possession and they pushed their opponents on the back-foot. Arnett found the net again through Kevin King 10 minutes into the second-half, but the striker was ruled offside when he turned in Manning’s’ shot across goal.

But despite having the better of play, Humble Lion found a determine Arnett Gardens defence difficult to penetrate and their best chance to score came seven minutes from time.

Midfielder Zeico Herrera broke loose inside the box, but his goal-bound strike was deflected just wide of the upright by the sliding challenge of a defender.

Herrera again came close twice for the visitors with long range efforts, but as they hunted the equaliser, Arnett Gardens found space at the back and should have added another in the closing minutes.

Arnett’s coach Wayne Fairclough said the players promised him the win to honour his father who was laid to rest on Saturday.

“They gave a gutsy performance, they scored early and did what they had to do… so hats off to them.”

His opposite number Christopher Bender thought they could have taken something from the match.

“After they scored, we dominated the possession and created chances, but we were just not smart enough around the box,” he said.

Teams: Arnett Gardens — Julian McLeish, Gerald Neil, Kevin King, Rasheede Clarke (Leon Strickland 77th), Newton Sterling, Ricardo Smith, Garfield Gillespie, Craig White, Kevin Wilson, Rohan Reid, Vanado Manning (William Richards 87th).

Booked: Manning (45th), Wilson (72nd), Neil (85th).

Subs not used: C Chin-Sue, N Plummer, D Hyatt, D McKinley, N Anderson.

Humble Lions — Shawn Sawyers, Kimroy Davis (Rohan Williams 60th), Loxley Thomas, Owen Gordon, Jeffrey Baker, Omando McLeod (Dion Sterling 74th), Kevin Mighty, Ricardo Campbell, Kirk Duckworth, Zeico Herrera, Omar Walters (Narado Brown 79th).

Subs not used: S Brown, S Morris, P Fearon, D Barrett.

Booked: None

Referee: Oneal Clayton

Assistant Referees: Mark Sullivan, Damion Williams

Fourth Official: Clint Reid

Match Commissary: Martin Lyn