Portmore United FC returned to the top of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) points standing after defeating Harbour View FC 1-0 in pulsating Monday night game at the Compound.

Second-half substitute Ricardo Morris delivered the coup d’état in minute 72 from a splendid solo run which began on the top of midfield and ended with a well-placed shot to the far corner from the left past goalkeeper Mark Bryan who was otherwise outstanding between the uprights.

Before the 20th round of RSPL matches were played on Sunday, Portmore United and Montego Bay United were joint leaders on 37 points. In Sunday’s round of matches, however, champions Arnett Gardens defeated Montego Bay 2-1 to move to the top of the standing on 38 points.

Portmore United then completed their 20th round with victory over Harbour View to become overall leaders on 40 points, two more than Arnett Gardens, Montego Bay filling the third spot with 37.

Meanwhile, Harbour View have a tenuous hold on the fifth spot with 26 points as both the sixth and seventh places are also on 26 points.

The clash between the four-time (Harbour View) and five-time (Portmore United) winners was evenly contested until Portmore introduced Morris and Tremaine Stewart for a second-half all-out drive to force a winner following some breathtaking saves from Bryan. With the game barely 19 minutes old Bryan was called upon to shut out a low scorching piledriver from Portmore’s left side striker Jovan East from on top of the box. The weight of the shot rebounded off the goalkeeper into play and the ball fell kindly out of harms way at the feet of a Harbour View defender to beat it away to safety.

With an alert Bryan in goal and a tightly tracking defence, Harbour View managed to end the first half without conceding. Returning more focused after the teams switched ends at the break, Harbour View came more into their own and ran at their opponents with greater assurance but only to dissipate chances created with some indifferent finishing from quite useful striking positions. And this prevented them from going ahead after surviving a torrid first half. They outmatched their visitors for the opening 20 or so minutes in the half after throwing more weight behind their attack.

But the introduction of Morris with his forward thrust curtailed some of Harbour View’s earlier forays. And little by little, Morris’ continuing run at the Harbour View defence forced a capitulation 18 minutes from time. Yet, Harbour View were not done. Time added even provided opportunities for Harbour View to press for a draw, but the score remained unchanged to the end.

Teams: Harbour View FC – Mark Bryan, Fabian Grant, Rosario Harriott, Nicholas Beckett (Claudious Blackburn 82nd), Montrose Phinn, Mark Miller, Joel Senior (Martin Davis 66th), Sheldon McCoy, John-Ross Edwards, Rojay Smith (Ranique Muir 76th), Stephen BennettSubs not used: Akeem Smith, Bryan English, Odaine Samuels, Kale SmithBooked: Harriott (36th)Portmore United FC – Shaven Sean Paul, Omar Daley, Damono Solomon, Ryan Wellington, Osani Ricketts, Roberto Johnson, Ewan Grandison, Kemar Phillpott (Tremaine Stewart 65th), Stephen Williams (Ricardo Morris 56th), Paul Wilson, Jovan East (Kemo Gayle 82nd)Subs not used: Donan Atkinson, Ado Nickle, Mark Alves, Maalique FosterBooked: Grandison (39thReferee: Karl TyrellAssistant Referees: Stacy Ann Grayson, Stephanie Dale-Yee SinFourth Official: Oshane NationMatch Commissioner: Garfield McDonald

Teams: Harbour View FC – Mark Bryan, Fabian Grant, Rosario Harriott, Nicholas Beckett (Claudious Blackburn 82nd), Montrose Phinn, Mark Miller, Joel Senior (Martin Davis 66th), Sheldon McCoy, John-Ross Edwards, Rojay Smith (Ranique Muir 76th), Stephen Bennett

Subs not used: Akeem Smith, Bryan English, Odaine Samuels, Kale Smith

Booked: Harriott (36th)

Portmore United FC – Shaven Sean Paul, Omar Daley, Damono Solomon, Ryan Wellington, Osani Ricketts, Roberto Johnson, Ewan Grandison, Kemar Phillpott (Tremaine Stewart 65th), Stephen Williams (Ricardo Morris 56th), Paul Wilson, Jovan East (Kemo Gayle 82nd)

Subs not used: Donan Atkinson, Ado Nickle, Mark Alves, Maalique Foster

Booked: Grandison (39th

Referee: Karl Tyrell

Assistant Referees: Stacy Ann Grayson, Stephanie Dale-Yee Sin

Fourth Official: Oshane Nation

Match Commissioner: Garfield McDonald