ST ANN, Jamaica – Vere United shocked champions Mt Pleasant FA 2-0 in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League in their first round game played at Drax Hall in St Ann on Sunday.

It was back-to-back losses for the champions who have earned a single point from their last three games as their lead in the points table was cut to one point after second placed Arnett Gardens beat Humble Lion 2-0 at Effortville in Clarendon.

Mt Pleasant FA are on 19 points from nine games, one more than Arnett Gardens’ 18 with Tivoli Gardens in third place on 17 points, after edging Molynes United 1-0.

Portmore United snapped a four- game winless run with a 1-0 win over Cavalier SC, while Dunbeholden FC came from a goal down to beat Montego Bay United 2-1 at Wespow Park.

Alrick Maitland scored in the 23rd minute to give Vere United a surprise lead, while former Mt Pleasant player Kemar Beckford added a second goal in the 54th minute as the champions who scored 12 goals in their first six games, all wins, have scored just once in their last three.

Arnett Gardens scored two late goals to beat Humble Lion who were losing back-to-back games, Rushike Kelson getting the opening goal in the 75th minute and Kevoan McGregor securing all three points with a 90th minute goal.

Tivoli Gardens equalled their win total from all of last season, as they edged Molynes United 1-0 at Stadium East, thanks to a 72nd minute goal from Odean Pennycooke, to improve to 17 points.

Portmore United FC got a well-needed win after also winning 1-0 over Cavalier SC, who snapped a five- game unbeaten run and were coming off a come -from- behind win over Mt Pleasant FC.

Chevaughn Walsh’s 17th minute goal was enough for Portmore United to move to 15 points.

At Wespow Park, Alex Gayle’s second half double cancelled out 18-year-old Leo Campbell’s first Premier League goal in a game that ended under contentious conditions.

This as the home team thought they were denied a clear penalty call after the Dunbeholden goalkeeper Damion Hyatt appeared to have brought down a MBU player inside the box after the player eluded him and had a clear chance at goal.

Campbell became the third Montego Bay United player to score their first Premier League goal when he looped a header past goalkeeper Damion Hyatt to give the home team the lead in the fifth minute.

Gayle pulled Dunbeholden FC level in the 47th minute when his shot was deflected off a MBU defender, and past goalkeeper William Ferreira gave them the lead in the 55th minute when he was left unmarked at the far left post and tapped in a cross from the right wing.

-Paul A Reid