TUCKER, St James — Montego Bay United snapped their two-game losing skid by edging Sporting Central Academy 1-0 in their third-round Red Stripe Premier League game at WespoW Park, yesterday, and at least temporarily retaking the lead in the points table.

Omar Gordon’s brilliant strike in the 78th minute broke the deadlock and gave Montego Bay United their first win in three outings after back-to-back losses to Humble Lion and Boys’ Town.

Montego Bay United are currently on 48 points, two more than Waterhouse who were scheduled for a late match yesterday. The win takes pressure off coach Hugh Solomon and his team.

“We got the win and we are satisfied,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

He started a number of players who were not in his regular rotation.

“It’s a long season, and some of the players needed the rest, some were out with injuries,” he explained.

Regular starting goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett missed the game due to a death in his family.

Sporting Central Coach Nigel Stewart has all but given up hopes of a top-four finish after the loss that left his team on 34 points.

“Even if we are now out of the running for a top-four place, we still have to keep on playing and play to keep our place next season,” he said.

Stewart blamed his team’s poor finishing for the defeat.

The home team created a number of early chances, especially by the hard-running Donovan Carey who beat goalkeeper Allien Whittaker in the 17th minute, but allowed the veteran custodian to recover and block.

Minutes later Carey’s left footer was deflected for a corner after it appeared headed for the low left hand corner of the Sporting goal.

Whittaker, who returned to the Premier League earlier this season after some years away, showed he had lost none of his skills when he came off his line to block Gordon for a corner after the Montego Bay United striker had got behind the Sporting defence.

Montego Bay United eventually wore down the visitors and created a series of chances that led to the goal. Fabian McCarthy’s free kick was just high over the bar in the 72nd minute and two minutes later Dino Williams just missed beating Whittaker with his first touch after replacing Carey.

Gordon sent the crowd in loud celebration when his powerful shot from a good build-up flew past the goalkeeper from about 20 yards out.

TEAMS:

Montego Bay United — Duvaun Smith, Allan Ottey, Omar Gordon, Donovan Carey (Dino Williams-73rd), Jermaine Woozencroft, Leon Irving (Lesley St Fleur-63rd), Fabian McCarthy (Renaldo Rodney-89th), Dwayne Ambusley, Cordel Simpson, Ladale Richie, Terrence Johnson.

Subs not used: Kemiro James, John Barrett, Winston Wilkinson, Romaine Jones

Booked: Simpson-26th, Ottey 45+1

Sporting Central Academy — Allien Whittaker, Gregory Lewis (Huggarth Nugent-60th), Camaal Reid, Corey Hylton (Oneke Ford-80th), Francois Swaby, Michael Moreland, Andre Morrison, Kevon Reid, Renoir Elliott, Kemar Drake, Dwayne Campbell (Christopher Mason-67th).

Subs not used: Michael Parcells, Bamgeorge Young, Mikhail Howell, Romoy Parkins

Booked: Morrison (72nd)

Referee: Raymond Bogle

Assistants: Lloyd Edwards, Omar Mills

Fourth Official: Lewin Purser

Match Commissary: Fitzroy Reid