Champions Montego Bay United failed to regain first place in the 2014-15 Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) standing after being held to a 0-0 scoreline by Rivoli United at Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

With the draw Montego Bay United have now given up four points in their last two games, having been held by Barbican FC in their last fixture. They remain in second position on 34 points, one behind leaders Arnett Gardens, who will oppose Cavalier SC today.

Rivoli United now inch up to 29 points.

Rivoli United enjoyed the better of play for the first half and created quite a number of chances, but lacked clinical finishing. The host dominated possession and orchestrated a few good build-ups through talismanic captain Cory Burke.

Burke played a few expert through passes to pick out Ross Burton, who had a miserable game.

The second half was more evenly contested and provided the moderate crowd with end-to-end action. However, Rivoli United maintained the ascendancy and broke down their opponents defensive line with consistent pressure, but failed to put away their chances.

Montego Bay United responded well with a few attacking build-ups of their own, but were held up by a tight Rivoli defence.

Rivoli’s coach Calvert Fitzgerald expressed satisfaction with the point, but lamented his team’s faulty finishing.

“I thought, with a little bit more composure in front of goal, we could have won the game.

“But I think the team played well. This was our toughest test, because Montego Bay United is playing good football and we matched up to them in all departments,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Fitzgerald’s counterpart Carlos Garcia also felt his team gave a good performance.

“I think we played a good game against a tough opponent and we managed to keep a clean sheet against them. Our topscorers are away playing overseas and the players that have come in are doing a good work and they will step up and score eventually,” he said.

Teams: Rivoli United — Damian Campbell (Shannon Bartley 45th), Kevin Graham, Troy Moulton, Jermaine Henry, Keith Wright, Jermey Nelson, Kemar Bennett, Cory Burke, Ross Burton (Kenny Lee 75th), Jermaine Whyte (Davion Garrison (62nd), Kemar Beckford

Subs not used: Zavian Williams, Michael Evans, Anthony Greenland, Marlon Henry

Booked: Burke (65th)

Montego Bay United — Jacomeno Barrett, Ladale Richie, Keniel Kirlew, Graeme Green, Dwayne Ambusley, Ronaldo Rodney (Leon Irving 76th), Winston Wilkinson, Cordel Simpson, Kevaun Atkinson (Kemiro James 73rd), Allan Ottey, O’Carey Spence

Subs not used: Garen Downie, Orlando McBayne, Jerome Haughton, Kashief Brown

Booked: Atkinson (25th), Ottey (35th), Simpson (90+4)

Referee: Karl Tyrell

Assistant Referees: Stephanie Dale Yee-Singh, Lloyd Reader

Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissary: Charles Barrett