Portmore United Football Club (FC) extended their unbeaten run to three games after holding on for a 1-1 result against hosts Tivoli Gardens FC in the Red Stripe Premier League football match, at Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

Tivoli’s Rushane Spence opened the scoring in the 27th minute, but Shai Smith dragged Portmore back into the encounter in the 49th.

Yesterday’s outcome saw defending back-to-back champions Portmore, who began the season with three straight losses, inching up to seven points from six games. Tivoli Gardens are on four points from five outings.

In other games, leaders Molynes United FC edged Mount Pleasant Football Academy 1-0 at Waterhouse Mini-Stadium to stretch their record to a perfect six, Humble Lion devoured Vere United 1-0 in a Clarendon derby at Effortville Community Centre, while Waterhouse maintained their unbeaten run with a 2-0 blanking of The University of the West Indies FC at UWI, Mona.

Under cloudy skies in west Kingston, both teams took time to settle before Tivoli Gardens asserted themselves.

At the other end, visitors Portmore United, though appearing disjointed at times during the first half, did provide moments of threat primarily through Rondee Smith, who created a couple of openings for teammates.

Tivoli Gardens drew first blood, however, when Portmore skipper Andre Lewis lost possession in the centre circle. The veteran former Reggae Boyz international Jermaine Johnson, set free to run at the opposing defence, took full advantage. His shot at goal from an angle rebounded into the path of the onrushing Spence, who slotted home from close range.

Particularly after taking the lead, Tivoli Gardens were vibrant in attack and threatened Portmore’s goal, even though the home team’s players were found wanting with their decision-making in the attacking third.

After the half-time break, Portmore wasted little time in pulling level, Shai Smith doing well to stay onside, and then side-footing into the goal as Tivoli Gardens goalkeeper Davian Watkins advanced.

In an even second-half contest Tivoli Gardens were less effective, though they did get a good chance to retake the lead late in the encounter.

However, substitute Junior McGregor’s lovely free kick pinged off the upright of the Portmore goal, with custodian Shaven Paul beaten.

Teams: Tivoli Gardens — Davian Watkins, Kemar Flemmings, Barrington Pryce, Jabeur Johnson, Nathaniel Leslie, Dasha Satchwell, Horace Ramsey (Rochane Smith 56th), Rushane Spence, Trayvone Reid, Rodico Wellington (Junior McGregor 66th), Jermaine Johnson (Donavan Dawkins 67th)

Subs not used: Nicholas Clarke, Ranike Anderson, Shavar Campbell, Tkevin Garnett

Booked: Reid (51st), R Smith (85th)

Portmore — Shaven Paul, Ryan Wellington, Damian Williams (Siegle Knight 78th), Cory Burke, Andre Lewis, Osani Ricketts, Romaine Brackenridge, Rondee Smith, Emelio Rosseau, Shai Smith (Chivali Edwards 82nd), Kareem Banton (Venton Evans 46th)

Subs not used: Kemar Foster, Hardley Barnes, Jehvonte Hoquee, Sheldon McKoy

Booked: Williams (46th), Brackenridge (87th)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistant referees: Lloyd Edwards, Ricardo McKenzie

Fourth official: Weston Costley

Match commissary: James Pearson

Yesterday’s results

Tivoli Gardens 1, Portmore 1

UWI 0, Waterhouse 2

Humble Lion 1, Vere 0

Molynes , Mount Pleasant

—Sanjay Myers