TOLL GATE, Clarendon — Sporting Central Academy moved eight points clear of the Red Stripe Premier League relegation zone with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Montego Bay United at Brancourt yesterday.

Second-half substitute Derron McLeod scrambled home the winner from close range in minute 76 after Keith Kelly’s curling effort ricocheted off the cross bar.

The visiting MoBay outfit failed to engineer any meaningful goal-scoring opportunities in the game, but were by no means outplayed by their south-west Clarendon hosts.

While the victory pushed Sporting (39 points) further away from the drop zone, MoBay (41) continue to lose ground on the top six.

The defeat, which was their third in a row, increased their winless streak to seven games.

TEAMS:

Sporting Central — Kevin Graham, Andre Morrison, Linval Lewis, Rupert Murray, Christopher Banner, Ricardo Thompson, Jamoly Powell (Derron McLeod 46th), Kadian Wynter, Keith Kelly, Anthony Bennett, Corey Hylton.

Subs not used: Sanchez Lloyd, Kevon Reid, Dale Watson, Peter Brown, Justin Johnson, Damano Solomon. Booked: Kelly (67th), Banner (89th)

Montego Bay United — Jacomeno Barrett, Ladale Richie, Fabian McCarthy, Orlando McBayne, Dwayne Ambusley, Leon Irving, Dino Williams, Graeme Green, Allan Ottey (Lesly St Fleur 56th), Oraine Gaynor (Mauricio Gordon 64th), Aldaine Grant (Kemiro James 71st).

Subs not used: John Barrett, Keneil Kirlew, Garen Downie, Oraine Braham.

Booked: D. Williams (25th), Green (61st)

Referee: Valdin Ledgister

Assistants: Lloyd Reader, Richard Washington Fourth Official: Cardella Samuels

Match Commissary: Dudley Powell