TIVOLI Gardens Under-21s stayed on course for the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF)/Premier League Clubs Association’s (PLCA) title with a 1-0 win over Humble Lion at the Effortville Community Centre yesterday.

A fortuitous own goal in the 91st minute propelled league leaders Tivoli Gardens to their 17th win from 27 games and on to 54 points, which allowed them to maintain their twopoint advantage with six rounds remaining.

It would be a unique double, especially with their senior team well on their way to capturing the Digicel Premier League, having a five-point lead with six games remaining.

In yesterday’s Under-21 play, Humble Lion retained fifth spot with 42 points after suffering their sixth defeat from 26 matches, while Portmore and Sporting Central Academy stayed in striking distance of the leader with comfortable wins over St George’s and Arnett Gardens, respectively.

Portmore travelled to Lynch Park and overcame St George’s 3-1, courtesy of two early goals from Ricardo Smith (4th) and Damion Binns (6th) before Tyrone Brown with his ninth goal of the season, pulled one back for St George’s in the 31st minute.

Ricardo Bedward sealed the win in the 85th minute as Portmore remained in second spot on 52 points, while St George’s are ninth with 28 points.

Meanwhile, Clarendon outfit Sporting Central dismissed Arnett Gardens 2-0 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex and stayed third also on 52 points.

Demarley Samuels notched his fifth of the season in the seventh minute before former national Under-20 player LeVaughn Williams sealed the win in the 90th minute with his eighth goal of the season.

The spirited Arnett Gardens, who were suffering their 12th defeat of the campaign, kept sixth place on 41 points.

St Ann outfit Benfica registered only their fourth win from 27 games with an impressive 3-0 whipping of Village United.

Goals by Kevin Raffington in the 26th minute, a Shavar Brown penalty in the 69th minute and Carlos Smith’s 82nd minute goals, pushed Benfica to 14 points, but they remained firmly at the bottom of the league.

Trelawny-based Village United are in 10th spot on 27 points.