MAY PEN, Clarendon — Benfica climbed out of the Digicel Premier League drop zone with a deserved 2-0 win over Humble Lion at Effortville here on Sunday.

Captain Marlon Thomas tucked away a neat penalty low to the left of home ‘keeper Shawn Sawyers to give the visitors the lead at the half following Omar Parker’s foul on Damion James.

Humble Lion, unbeaten in their last five games, returned for the second 45 minutes looking to preserve that streak, but found the going tough as Kevin Lamey’s header was cleared off the line, before being denied twice by Benfica custodian Donnovan Hynes.

The Effortville faithful were, however, stunned into silence when James swiveled past his markers and rifled in a right-footer at Sawyers’ near post with three minutes to go.

St Ann-based Benfica celebrated the vital 2-0 win, which saw them leapfrog their relegation rivals into ninth-placed on 36 points, as if they had actually secured Premier League football for next season.

While their jubilation, very much befitted the manner in which they dominated the game, it might be short lived should they lose the points in the boardroom.

Information had surfaced towards the game’s end that the club was advised against using midfielder Ian McAnuff, whom it is believed should be serving a one-match ban as a result of card suspension.

Benfica president Tyrone Rose, however, rebuffed the claims as he rejoiced in his team’s victory during a post-match interview.

“We saw the information that was sent out in the week,” Rose replied. “Garfield Reid had three cards and Ian McAnuff had two, and we made the inquiry and things were sorted out. Benfica does not operate like that… our management is smarter than that, so we are not going to lose any points in the boardroom,” he said.

In the past week, several clubs lost points for the same infringement, with Benfica being one of the teams benefiting from the ruling, resulting from their game against Sporting Central Academy at Brancourt.

TEAMS:

Humble Lion — Shawn Sawyers, Devon Powell, Omar Parker, Kirk Duckworth, Wolry Wolfe, Tyrone Sawyers, Jermaine Ricketts, Mark Miller (Kevin Mighty 68th), Jermaine Christian (Roberto Fletcher 79th), Denzil Watson (Michael Morland 46th), Kevin Lamey.

Subs not used: Christopher Louden, Ricardo Campbell, Demar Lawrence, Damian Barrett. Booked: Omar Parker (25th)

Benfica — Damion Newton Omar Walters (69th), Javaul Stoddart, Damion James (Devrowe Moncrieffe 88th), Odane Ottey, Ian McAnuff, Gregory Tape, Marlon Thomas (Rushane Henry 77th), Everton Marsh, Ricardo Scott, Andrew Dixon, Donnovan Hynes.

Subs not used: Travis Irons, Dwayne Edwards, Ramaja Martin, Delano Rankine. Booked: None

Referee: Valdin Legister Assistants: Kedlee Powell, Antonette Williams Fourth Official: Doyen Tummings Match Commissary: Ewan Scott