While the top-of-the-table clash in the Red Stripe Premier between champions Portmore United and second-placed Tivoli Gardens on Sunday will not go down as an instant classic, the final moments of the game will not be forgotten any time soon.

Tivoli Gardens led 1-0 from the second minute of the second half through an Andre Dawson strike. Yet despite playing with a man less for the last 11 minutes of the game plus five minutes added time, Portmore United never appeared to be a man short in the final minutes of the game.

Desperate to get at least a point at home at Spanish Town Prison Oval, Portmore United threw everything, including the kitchen sink, at Tivoli Gardens in the latter stages of the game, but to no avail.

A tremendous rear-guard action by the Tivoli Gardens defenders denied league-leading scorer Rondee Smith and Portmore’s top scorer last season, Javon East, in their relentless search for at least one goal.

With the clock ticking over beyond the five minutes allocated for stoppage time, referee Tyrone Robinson blew the final whistle at the precise moment that his assistant Omar Mills flagged feverishly for a penalty to the hosts.

Robinson was adamant that the game was over despite the protestations of the Portmore United bench, who urged him to consult with his assistant. The referee, however, remained unmoved as the visitors claimed an important three points that saw them vault over the champions to the top of the league.

Expectedly, both head coaches had contrasting views on the controversial final moments of the contest.

“I just think the referee wasn’t brave enough to make that call, but such is life,” said a disappointed Shavar Thomas.

“We will get back together and review the game and see the things we could have done better today,” he reasoned.

“I am more so not happy with the team’s performance but such is life; the referee didn’t make the call but so it is.”

Thomas has already worked out the things that need fixing before the midweek game away to Waterhouse FC and is keen to fix those issues quickly.

“In transition play we could have done better we were either one pass too late or one pass too early. we could have gotten behind them.”

Tivoli Gardens coach Omar Edwards diplomatically explained his thoughts on the situation that obtained at the end of the game.

“Time was against the assistant and it was certainly against Portmore. We have gone over the five minutes indicated by the referee and hence the referee took the decision to call the game off. He is the one who is in charge of the game and I will not even go there to say that it was a penalty, because the time had eventually gone.”

He applauded the performance of both teams on the day.

“It was a good game. both teams really put down the football and played some attractive football. Playing away from home and getting maximum points is always a plus.”

Edwards indicated that the tactical adjustments by his players in the second half is what led to the victory.

“In the first half our defensive team shape and organisation weren’t up to par. At half-time we managed to indicate to the team where they have gone wrong, but we fixed it in the second half and hence we kept a clean sheet.

“Offensively we started the second half strong and as a result of that, we scored a good goal through Andre Dawson. I think the performance overall is a welcome one. The season is very early and to see the team really put out a fight this afternoon at the Prison Oval, it’s really a plus.”

The Tivoli Gardens head coach is hoping that this particular win will ignite his players to achieve their maximum potential this season.

“I am hoping this victory will motivate the team to continue to come to training and give it their all and to believe in themselves and build a better camaraderie going forward.”

Tivoli Gardens now lead the league after eight rounds of games with 16 points, while Portmore United, who remain on 14 points, slipped a place to second. Mount Pleasant Academy remain third after a 1-1 draw with Cavalier FC in the late game on Sunday that saw them miss the chance to go at least second.