MARVIN Morgan’s second-half strike and a penalty save from goalkeeper Kirk Porter kept Boys’ Town in the hunt for their first Digicel Premier League (DPL) title and first national crown since 1984 as they defeated Portmore United 2-1 with 10 men in an eventful match at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.

However, Tivoli Gardens (68 points) maintained their three-point lead with two rounds of matches to go, courtesy of Navion Boyd’s 53rd-minute strike against Waterhouse.

At Ferdie Neita Park, Fabian Francis fired the visitors ahead on 20 minutes, but Portmore drew level on the stroke of half-time through Tevin Skyers.

However, Morgan netted the winning goal on the hour to keep the Andrew Price-coached team in the hunt. Boys’ Town went down to 10 men when defender Wayne Ellis was red-carded for a foul on inside the area in the 68th, but Porter saved the resulting penalty to keep his side’s advantage.

Price said they made things difficult for themselves, but said the important thing was that they got three points.

“As we continue our chase for the title it’s important that we keep winning games and it was very important for us to win today,” he said.

The visitors looked brighter and more threatening in the early stages of the first half and eventually took the lead when Francis broke through and, although he overran the ball, goalkeeper Demetro Brown coughed up possession back to the midfielder, who scrambled home.

Boys’ Town dominated the game afterwards and had good chances through Morgan, Micahel Campbell, Romondo Johnson and Wayne Ellis.

But Portmore equalised on 45 minutes when a long ball over the Boys’ Town defence caught everyone napping and Skyers raced through to fire home.

However, the Red Brigade restored their lead 15 minutes after the break when Xavian Virgo’s long ball found Morgan unmarked inside the area, and the National U-20 striker lobbed the advancing Brown.

Minutes later, another ball over the top sent Andrew Vanzie clear, but he was dragged down by Ellis, who was subsequently ejected. Porter then made a fine double save to deny Portmore an equaliser.

Immediately from the save, Shane Edwards should have put Boys’ Town further ahead, but he put the ball wide of the target after getting around Brown.

Portmore pressed their opponent for an equalising goal; however, the Red Brigrade defended stoutly and always looked dangerous on the counter through Jameil Hardware and Campbell.

In another game yesterday, Humble Lion beat Sporting Central 2-1 in the battle against relegation.

Humble Lion (41 points) temporarily moved off the foot of the table by a point ahead of St Georges, who were down to play Arnett Gardens in a late game.

Portmore — Demetro Brown, Adrian Reid, Rosario Harriott (Dmarley Oliver 64th), Upston Edwards, Ricardo Bedward, Andrew Vanzie, Ewan Grandison, Ricardo Cousins, Alanzo Adlam (Errol Steven 79th), Tevin Skyers, Ricardo Smith (Steven Morrisey 52nd).

Booked: Vanzie 11th, Reid 45th, Skyers 61st, Edwards 78th, Oliver 90th.

Subs not used: D Binns, J Jackson, S Paul.

Boys’ Town — Kirk Porter, Wayne Ellis, Xavian Virgo, Asrick Samuels, Anthony Bennett (Richard Clarke 81st), Marvin Morgan (Shane Edwards 64th), Michael Campbell, Fabian Francis (Anthony Dawes 64th), Daemeon Benjamin, Romondo Johnson, Jameil Hardware.

Referee: Valdin Legister

Assistants: Lloyd Washington, Dwayne Panton

Fourth Official: Patrick McPherson

Match Commissary: Uken Campbell