ST JAMES, Jamaica — Montego Bay United increased their lead in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) to three points after edging Dunbeholden FC 1-0 in the match at Jarrett Park on Sunday.

It was their first win in three attempts at the venue since the restart of the league in November.

A second-half penalty conversion by veteran Owayne Gordon made the difference for Montego Bay, who improved to 32 points.

Racing United are second on 29 points after coming from behind to earn a 1-1 result away to Mount Pleasant FA at Drax Hall.

A relieved Montego Bay Head Coach Xavier Gilbert said it was one of their best games in a while.

He added: “We did some good things today [but I was] disappointed with the end product. I didn’t think we executed as [well] as we should in and around the penalty area but, nevertheless, it’s good to finally get a win at Jarrett Park, so I’m happy for that.”

Gilbert said the first-half display was particularly pleasing.

“We dominated, especially in the first half, you know. I think we had possession, and movement of the ball was good — except in the final third when the ball was going to the wing. I didn’t think we made the best decisions.”

He said they had expected a tough game against a miserly defensive unit.

“This is the best defensive team in the league thus far. They’re very tight in terms of conceding goals; I think they have about eight or so clean sheets and I think they only conceded about five goals for the entire season. So, we knew it would have been hard to break them down but the final end product just wasn’t there. I thought we dominated in terms of possession and moving a ball, and for those things I was happy with the effort,” the Montego Bay coach explained

Dunbeholden FC had been unbeaten in their previous six games thus Coach Damion Gordon was unhappy with how they lost.

“I think the two teams evened each other out,” he said. “We got some chances, even right before the penalty call, and you have to take those. MoBay is not a team that gives up a lot of chances but today we had some — and that was a clearly easy chance,” lamented the Dunbeholden coach.

Montego Bay created a handful of scoring chances in the first half but did not have the finishing touch.

They continued to apply pressure, pinning the visitors in their defensive third, and were rewarded when Brian Brown was dragged down inside the six-yard box as he made an aerial challenge.

The 34-year-old Gordon, who had entered the game as a substitute nine minutes earlier, calmly slotted home the spot kick, his first goal of the season.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Portmore 0, Chapelton 0

Mount Pleasant 1, Racing 1

Montego Bay 1, Dunbeholden 0

Molynes 1, Treasure Beach 2

GORDON… we got some chances, even right before the penalty call, and you have to take those

GILBERT… it’s good to finally get a win at Jarrett Park