DESPITE a break in transition on last, former champions Portmore United continued their steady climb out of the mire of Red Stripe Premier League football with a 2-1 win over champions Harbour View at the Ferdie Neita Park on Sunday in a late kick-off.

Starting like a house on fire, Portmore were ahead before the game was 15 minutes old. Damian Binns put Portmore ahead but visitors Harbour View responded amiably to keep the score down to single digit at the halfway stage.

Harbour View like true champions returned in the second half and mounted a serious challenge against their hosts and eventually found the equaliser in minute 74 through McKauley Tulloch.

Like a cornered wounded animal, Portmore in a united effort began to defend against and attacked their visitors with explosive force and came close on a number of occasions but the Harbour View defence proved impregnable until two minutes from time when with an all-out attack Rickardo Harriott got the go ahead goal.

In spite of the Herculean effort Portmore could do no better than hold on to second from the foot of the standings on 20 points while Harbour View rest easy at the top of the RSPL standings on 36 points seven clear of Montego Bay United who drew 0-0 with Sporting Central Academy.

TEAMS

Portmore Untd — Carl Lloyd Walters, Adrian Reid, Rickardo Harriott, Rosario Harriott, Damian Binns, Ewan Grandison, Damian Williams, Ricardo Morris (Trevol Smith 87th), Paul Wilson (Alanzo Adlam 76th), Stephen Williams (James Thomas 68th), Adoah Nickle

Subs not used: G McPherson, K Mannings, J Morrison, A Vanzie

Booked: Wilson 42nd

Harbour View — Michaud Barrett, Damarley Oliver (Montrose Phinn 63rd), Clifton Waugh, Nicholas Beckett, Kemar Lawrence, McKauley Tulloch, Ranique Muir, Joel Senior, John-Ross Edwards, Dicoy Williams, Brian Brown

Subs not used: K Frater, D Isaacs, S Dewar, J Durrant, D Edwards

Booked: Oliver 17th, Lawrence 33rd, Beckett 45+1

Referee: Kevin Thomas

Assistant Referees: Damian Williams, Oyinco McTaggart

Fourth Official: Wilverglen Lamey

Match Commissary: Howard Bell