MAY PEN, Clarendon — Humble Lion’s wretched form in the Digicel Premier League (DPL) continued yesterday as their latest 1-0 defeat against Portmore United at Effortville means they’ve now lost amost half their matches played this season.

National senior invitee Andrew Vanzie volleyed home the winner just after the break for Portmore to record their first win over Humble Lion, following one defeat and three draws in last term’s nightmarish run.

The four-time former winners maintained their top-three position on 30 points behind leaders Tivoli Gardens and Waterhouse, and coach Linval Dixon was happy for their maiden win over Humble Lion.

“It was really a (hard) game against a tough Humble Lion team, who we have never beaten before, and we came here to give a good account of ourselves,” he said.

“We got one goal and defended stoutly, which says a lot about the team.”

For Humble Lion, who remain in the relegation zone on 13 points, a dark cloud hangs over their season as they have not won a game in nine outings — their last victory came against Village United almost two months ago.

But, it would appear that coach Lenworth Hyde and his assistant Max Straw are about to seek refuge in the Under-21 squad as a number of youngsters were injected into the game and did themselves proud.

Meantime, Sporting Central and newcomers Benfica FC continue to battle for sixth place, with the former taking back the elite position in a 2-1 win at Drax Hall.

The win lifts Sporting to 26 points, two more than Benfica, who should fall lower than seventh after the defeat.

At Effortville, it was the hosts who should have been ahead after 25 minutes, but Errol Wilkie and the young Michael Moreland were denied by goalkeeper Garice McPherson and the crossbar, respectively, within minutes of each other.

But, Portmore were not to be daunted and it took them just three minutes into the second-half to make their mark when young Vanzie raced onto a ball lofted over the top of the defence and in one motion hit a right-footed volley high into left hand corner of the goal.

Humble Lion — Shawn Sawyers, Tyrone Sawyers, Owen Gordon, Denzil Watson, Errol Wilkie (Narado Brown 68th), Loxley Thomas (Cornelius Henry 57th), Ricardo Campbell, Kirk Duckworth, Ajuran Brown (Matthew Davidson 52nd), Michael Moreland.

Subs not used: P Brown, K Lewis, E Thomas, C Louden. Booked: Watson (18th), A. Brown (35th), Henry (82nd), Gordon (90+)

Portmore United — Garice McPherson, Richard Allen, Richardo Harriot, Rosario Harriot, Bryan Bayliss, Shauntel Mundle, Ricardo Cousins, Mario Swaby, Andrew Vanzie, Zane Goulbourne (Andre Campbell 69th,Errol Stevens 74th), Steven Morrissey.

Subs not used: D Brown, T Smith, T Stewart, G Gayle, N Christian. Booked: Goulbourne (37th)

Referee: Lewin Purser Assistants: Lloyd Reader, Lloyd Edwards Fourth Official: Doyen Tummings Match Commissary: George Smart