TUCKER, St James — Former champions and Red Stripe Premier League leaders Montego Bay United escaped with a 2-1 win over Wadadah FC, coming from a goal down in the quarter-finals of the St James Football Association’s Captain’s Bakery and Grill Knockout at WesPow Park on Thursday.

Owayne Gordon scored from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute to equalise for the Premier League club after Owen Roberts, who was playing his first game for the club, had given Wadadah FC the lead in the 40th minute. Ronaldo Rodney got the winner in the 80th minute.

Montego Bay United will now face Melbourne FC in one semi-final, while promoted Faulkland FC, who upset Granville FC 5-4 in sudden-death penalties on Wednesday, will face former finalists Reggae Youths in the other semi-final from which the winner could get a spot in the all-island knockout competition later this year.

Despite the loss, Wadadah FC coach Daniel Ricketts said he was pleased with his team and was now focusing on winning the Western Confederation Super League.

“This was a good performance from the team (and) we used this game to analyse where we are in terms of our fitness level and tactically,” he said.

Ricketts said he was looking to bolster his squad during the winter transfer window.

“We got in about six players in the transfer period so far and looking for more as we continue to rebuild,” said Ricketts, the brother of former Reggae Boyz goalkeeper and captain, Donovan.

Leonardo Neiva, who guided the Montego Bay United team that played without a number of their regular starters, admitted the game was “tougher than expected”.

“Football is like that; we dominated the first half, but could not score and they scored (and) that made it complicated for us,” he noted.

The Brazilian, however, praised the fighting spirit of his team, but lamented his players’ reluctance to unleash on goal.

“They need to shoot more on goal, sometimes we play very good with possession, but need to finish the plays,” Neiva said.

Montego Bay United had the early chances, but Raheem Cole, one of the new players, made a series of good stops in the Wadadah FC goal.

Wadadah FC got over their early jitters, and after a few attempts at goal, took the lead just before half-time when Roberts’ left-footed freekick from outside the area beat goalkeeper Romaine Bowers at his near left post.

After making some changes at half-time, Montego Bay United kept the Super League team pinned in their own half for long periods before a Montego Bay United player was tripped in the box and Gordon stepped up to bury the resulting penalty kick.

Ten minutes before the end, Rodney dribbled through a now tired-looking Wadadah FC defence and beat Cole with a low, hard shot to prevent what would have been a massive upset.