Another Michael Binns trademark free kick kept the Portmore United train rolling as they staved off a strong challenge from a pesky Tivoli Gardens outfit for a 2-1 win in an entertaining midweek Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) clash at Edward Seaga Complex yesterday.

Binns converted from approximately 25 yards out in the 68th minute after young striker Shai Smith had opened the scoring for Portmore United in the 37th minute. Colorado Murray pulled one back for Tivoli Gardens in the 45th+2 minutes.

The win, which was Portmore United’s second in a row, saw them skipping further away from the pack at the top of the standings on 53 points, while Tivoli Gardens, who are now finding wins hard to come by, remain in fourth on 37 points.

Meanwhile, Reno FC (30 points) and Humble Lion FC (29 points) remain in eighth and ninth positions, respectively, after playing out a goalless encounter at Effortville Community Centre in Clarendon.

There was very little to separate the two teams in the early exchanges of the West Kingston battle, as they both threw their weight in attack from the opening whistle and had a few good look-ins on goal but were undone by faulty shooting.

Portmore United eventually broke Tivoli’s resistance courtesy of a good build up orchestrated by a tidy one-two combination between Smith and Chevany Willis from the middle of the park.

The play, which caught the Tivoli Gardens defence flat-footed, released Smith on goal and the lanky striker made no mistakes with a stinging left-footed shot past the hapless goaltender Davin Watkins.

But, the hosts would not let up and pounced two minutes later, and it took some brilliance from Kemar Foster in goal for Portmore United to keep out a Howard Morris strike.

However, an added-time strike by Murray erased the frowns of the Tivoli Gardens fans as he arrived just in the nick of time to tap in from Junior McGregor’s cross to make it 1-1 at the break.

Tivoli Gardens took complete control of the game from the hour-mark right to the end, but it was Portmore United who found the go-ahead goal against the run of play.

After being brought down by Romaine Brakenridge, Binns briefly sought to retaliate, before regaining his composure to calmly steer the well-taken set play to the far post, as Watkins had no chance in goal.

From there it was all Tivoli Gardens as they struck the crossbar and forced a number of fine saves from Portmore ‘keeper Foster in their quest for the elusive equaliser.

Just as Portmore thought they had survived a spell of sustained pressure near the end, Tivoli Gardens came at them with one final blow, and it took another brilliant save from Foster to keep out a well-taken free kick from McGregor right before the final whistle.

Teams: Tivoli Gardens — Davin Watkins, Romaine Linton, Kenroy Lumthen, Romaine Brakenridge, Shavar Campbell, Marvin Stewart, Sean Coleman (Authur Walters 69th), Howard Morris (Elton Thompson 78th), Junior McGregor, Andre Moulton (Jermaine Johnson 66th), Colorado Murray

Subs not used: Nicholas Clarke, Tykvin Garnett, Rodico Wellington, Rushane Facey

Booked: Coleman (47th), Brakenridge (68th), Stewart (82nd)

Portmore United — Kemar Foster, Andre Dyce, Osani Ricketts, Roberto Johnson, Michael Binns, Ewan Grandison, Chevany Willis, Kemar Phillpotts, Venton Evans, Saneekie Burton (Roshane Sharpe 89th), Shai Smith (Jermie Lynch 74th)

Subs not used: Eric Edwards, Kemo Gayle, Shawayne Nelson, Jeovanne Shorter, Richard Coates

Booked: Dyce (45th+2), Phillpotts (84th)

Referee: Tyrone Robinson

Assistant referees: Lloyd Edwards, Terrence McKenzie

Fourth official: Weston Costly

Match Commissary: Donald Carter