CLARENDON PARK, Clarendon — Portmore United moved level on points with Montego Bay United (MBU) at the top of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) following a 1-0 victory in their top-of-the-table clash at Juici Park yesterday Cleon Pryce scored the winner for the promoted Portmore outfit when he stabbed home Javon East’s glancing header in minute 54.

Prior to the goal, the visiting MBU dominated the opening exchanges but failed to make their advantage count. And they were denied a crucial equaliser on 75 minutes when the Portmore goalkeeper, Shaven Sean Paul, tipped Owayne Gordon’s looping header over the bar.

The defeat was MBU’s second of the season and, ironically, both losses came against Portmore who won the corresponding first-round fixture 2-0 back in September. “Chances, we didn’t take our chances,” lamented MBU’s Loxley Thomas.

“But we just have to wheel and come again and make sure we are ready for our next game against UWI.” Meanwhile, despite joining MBU on 24 points, Portmore remain in second place due to their inferior goal difference.

Their coach, Jeffrey Hewitt, was however pleased with the win. “It wasn’t really a good game, but we are thankful for the three points,” he said. “The players worked really hard, so we to give God thanks for the result.”

TEAMS: Portmore United — Shaven-Sean Paul, Upston Edwards, Damono Soloman, Kareem Manning, Roberto Johnson, Kemar Phillpot, Michael Binns, Omar Daley, Ewan Grandison, Cleon Pryce (Stephen Williams 82nd), Javon East. Subs not used: Tyrone Williams, Ryan Wellington, Kemo Gayle, Osani Ricketts, Aldaine Grant, Suelae McCalla. Booked: Manning (52nd)

Montego Bay United — Jacomeno Barrett, Owayne Gordon, Ramone Sibley (Cory Hylton 67th), Ranaldo Rodney, Dwayne Ambusley, Keniel Kirlew, Orlando McBayne (Kashief Brown 75th), Ladale Richie, Dwayne Holmes, Winston Wilkinson, Kemar Drake. Subs not used: Romaine Bowers, Jerome Haughton, Quante Abbott-Hill-Smith, Nicodie Haughton, Romario Clarke. Booked: Richie (85th) Referee: Kevin Morrison Assistant Referees: Lloyd Edwards, Lloyd Reader Fourth Official: Leon Brown Match Commissary: Dudley Powell