TIVOLI Gardens’ defence of the Red Stripe Premier League title went up in smokes following their 1-2 loss to leaders Portmore United at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

Title favourites Portmore United have increased their lead atop of league to 11 points and a whopping 15 points ahead of Tivoli Gardens with only 10 games remaining.

Portmore United, who were scoring their league-high 17th win from 28 games, are out front on 57 points, while Tivoli Gardens are in fourth spot on 42 points.

National striker Tramaine Stewart, who scored his first senior international goal against New Zealand last Wednesday, netted both goals in the 16th and 28th minutes.

Stewart side-footed home into the roof of the after Rosario Harriott’s right-sided cross deflected into his path.

He then scored a flashing header of the highest order, rarely seen in local football, to seal a crucial win and continued his team’s dominance over Tivoli Gardens with their third victory in four meetings.

Romeo Parkes had equalised for Tivoli Gardens in the 24th minute after robbing Adrian Reid and firing home.

Portmore United had to battle hard playing with 10 men for nearly 20 minutes after striker Alanzo Adlam saw red in the 76th minute for striking a player, but held their nerves well for a deserved victory.

Tivoli Gardens also ended with 10 men after defender Ranike Anderson was dismissed in the 88th minute.

The tough-tackling defender challenged Stewart for a ball on the touch line, lost his balance and crashed into the Portmore United bench, and as he swung atop the dugout, he apparently hit a player with his boots.

His action was not taken lightly by the Portmore United aggregation and a tussle ensued before the guilty player, who was on a yellow card from the 72nd minute, was dismissed with his second caution by referee Valdin Legister.

Stewart was also shown the red card, but the referee quickly changed it to yellow, after a mixup.

But in the end, it was a deserved win for Portmore United as they stayed on course for their fifth premier league title.

Winning coach Calvin Lewis said it’s not over yet despite the sizable lead.

Said Lewis: “We can’t be complacent, yes a gallant effort today and we have to continue to play well. We have not been playing well on the road, so it is a welcome win.

“Beating the defending champions at their home in a very physical game… we have withstood all of their physicality and came out winners,” said Lewis.

Meanwhile, Glendon ‘Admiral’ Bailey have all but given up and is waiting on the next two games whether to call it quits or not.

Said Bailey: “It will be a momentous task, but I am still not saying it is impossible, but it will be very difficult”.

“The next two games will show us if we have a chance or not. I am not going to say I give up, we will just continue to work hard,” he added.