DRAX HALL, St Ann — Highgate went down 3-1 to former champions Portmore United at Drax Hall in their Red Stripe Premier League game, spurred by a Cleon Pryce brace on Sunday.

Pryce got his goals in the third and 44th minutes, while Bryan Bayliss (55th) got the other for the victors. Highgate’s Richard Allison pulled one back in the 73rd.

Pryce put his team into the lead from their first attack after he started the move with Bayliss and Ricardo Morris for him to finish off. He placed the ball to the right of custodian Romaine Hamilton into the goal taking the lead in the third minute of play.

Just before the half ended, Pryce struck again when he picked up a long pass from Ewan Grandison and he duly fired home from just inside the penalty area. Portmore went further ahead when Ryan Wellington passed to Bayliss who fired home to make the score 3-0.

Highgate, undaunted, launched a number of attacks as they looked to get back into the game and eventually pulled a goal back when Allison concluded a move started by Christopher Harris.

Portmore manager Clive Marshall was pleased with the three points and said the result “means we are still in the runnings” for the title.

Losing coach Michael Smith says “we played a scrappy first half”, but underlined that his team dominated the second period as he lamented the missed opportunities to score.

TEAMS: Highgate — Richard Allison, Romaine Hamilton, Devontae Francis (Sheldon Davis 52nd), Andre Dyce, Charles Williams, Kwesi Campbell, Jahmaika Hutchinson, Omerio Yorke (Christopher Harris 59th), Taffarel Crosdale (Nicholas Sewell 65th), Akien Coley, Shamir Stewart.

Subs not used: Okello Dillon, Keith Bennett, Tenniel Riley

Booked: Kwesi Campbell (66th), Andre Dyce (80th)

Portmore — Carlloyd Walters, Adrian Reid, Ricardo Harriott (Javalin Waugh 88th), Ryan Wellington, Andrew Christie, Damian Williams, Ewan Grandison, Ricardo Morris (Jamar Jackson 73rd), Bryan Bayliss, Cleon Pryce, Aooah Nickle (Suelea McCalla 68th).

Subs not used: Remar Foster, Andre Darby

Referee: Valdin Legister

Assistants: Richard Washington, Nicholas Anderson

Fourth Official: Tyrone Robinson

Match Commissary: Neil Campbell