ST JAMES, Jamaica- Montego Bay United (MBU) will play in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) next season as they avoided relegation after beating Faulkland FC 2-1 in their St James derby played at Wespow Park on Sunday. Chapleton Maroons will however, go back to the Tier II competition after they lost 4-0 to Humble Lion at Effortville in Clarendon.

MBU, who snapped a 12-game winless run, are on 26 points and cannot be relegated this season.

But, after losing their 15th game of the season, Chapleton’s run will be a single season as they are on eight points and cannot finish higher than 13th place in the competition with their three games to play.

Meanwhile, Cavalier stayed at the top of the tables after beating Portmore United 2-0, while Mt Pleasant ended a six-game winless run with a 5-0 beat down of Vere United.

At Wespow Park, Courtney Allen scored in the second minute and Allan Ottey scored his eighth of the season in the 20th minute for MBU to lead 2-0 at half time, but Tavane Kerr pulled one back for Faulkland FC in the 74th minute.

At Effortville, Humble Lion scored all four goals in the second half as they rebounded from last week’s loss to Cavalier and held on to fifth place in the point standings.

Gregory Lewis scored the first goal in the 48th minute, Andrew Vanzie added a second in the 71st minute, Mark Rodney made it 3-0 in the 74th minute, before Rico Edwards added a fourth in the 81st minute.

Collin Anderson gave Cavalier the lead in the 12th minute and Christian Ainsworth added the second in the 73rd minute to beat Portmore who could drop out of the top six by the end of the round.

After being held scoreless in their last two games, Mt Pleasant exploded for five on Sunday as Dwight Merrick had a first half double, with late goals from Atapharoy Bygrave and Donovan Segree as well as an own goal saw them win for the first time since February.

Ten-man Harbour View came back late to earn a draw against Molynes United in a game that was held up for almost 30 minutes as Molynes changed jerseys after both teams were allowed to start in similar blue and yellow tops.

Jermy Nelson gave Molynes the lead in the 72nd minute but Colorado Murray pulled one back in the 90th minute.

Demar Rose was sent off in the 53rd minute.

-Paul A Reid