PORTMORE United took advantage of Tivoli Gardens’ slip-up in the Red Stripe Premier League on Wednesday after Tremaine Stewart’s 72nd-minute penalty carried them to a 1-0 win over Humble Lion at Ferdie Neita Park.

The win moved the St Catherine club to 24 points, two clear of new second-placers Waterhouse, on 22.

Winning coach Calvin Lewis was pleased with the performance of his team and maintaining their lead. “It’s a good feeling knowing that we are out in front, but we need to work hard and stay humble,” he said.

In a game of few chances, Portmore had the two best opportunities to grab the lead before the break, but goalkeeper Philmore Crumbie was quick off his line to deny Ewan Grandison after he was sent clear by Stewart.

Minutes later, defender Adrian Reid smashed a header just wide of the target from a corner.

Stewart also had two great chances after the break, but he first blasted high after working his way inside the area in the 58th minute. A few minutes later, the tricky striker turned his marker inside out but fired into the side-netting.

Portmore eventually got the breakthrough when Adoah Nickle toyed with three Humble Lion defenders inside the box before releasing a cheeky pass to Ricardo Cousins, who was taken down.

Stewart then smashed home a low strike past Crumbie from the resulting penalty to put the hosts ahead.

The visitors were lacking penetration up front and their best chance for a equaliser came seven minutes from the end, but former Portmore midfielder Wolry Wolfe’s free-kick was easily handled by goalie Shaven-Sean Paul.

Humble Lion’s coaching staff left the venue fuming at what they considered to be a soft penalty given against them and assistant coach Max Straw said although they did not do enough to win, they were let down by poor officiating.

Portmore — Shaven-Sean Paul, Upston Edwards, Adrian Reid, Rosario Harriot, Andrew Christie (Damarley Samuels 86th), Andrew Vanzie, Ewan Drandison, Tremaine Stewart, Shauntel Mundle (John-Ross Doyley 63rd), Ricardo Cousins, Adoah Nickle.

Booked: Vanzie 80th, Cousins 90+

Subs not used: R Allen, M Spence, R Nelson, G McPherson.

Humble Lion — Philmore Crumbie, Adrian Mitchell, Ricardo Campbell, Tyrone Sawyers, Sean Coleman, Ranaldo Christian (Michael Blygen 80th), Jermaine Christain, Omar Walters (Kevin Lamey 76th), Gregory Morgan (Wolry Wolfe 65th), Carlington Smith, Jason Wallace

Booked: Mitchell 83rd

Subs not used: F Pascoe, M Johnson, O McLoud, G Heron

Referee: Valdin Legister

Assistant: Malachi Brown, Stephen Brown

Fourth Official: Patrick McPherson