Tivoli Gardens FC maintained a faint mathematical hope of an unlikely progress to the semi-final of the Red Stripe Premier League after a hard-fought 1-0 win over struggling Portmore United at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

Andre McFarlane, in the 33rd minute, popped up with the winner for the hosts, who went down to 10 players in the 52nd minute when striker Navion Boyd was red-carded for striking an opponent.

Despite the win, Tivoli Gardens remain fifth in the 12-team standings on 39 points after 30 rounds, still six points off fourth-placed Arnett Gardens FC, who play today.

Portmore United, the former champions who have endured a wretched season, stay in provisional 10th place on 33 points and are locked in a relegation quandary.

The top four teams at the end of the preliminary stage will advance to the semis, while the two teams with the least number of points will be demoted.

Yesterday, the windy afternoon conditions and uneven playing surface affected both teams’ ability to keep possession for any sustained period, but Portmore United got the better chances throughout the feisty encounter.

Yesterday, the windy afternoon conditions and uneven playing surface affected both teams’ ability to keep possession for any sustained period, but Portmore United got the better chances throughout the feisty encounter.

Portmore pressed most of the first half and should have scored on about the half-hour mark, however Ricardo Morris mis-hit a close range effort with his less favoured right foot.

Minutes later, Tivoli Gardens displayed deadly finishing when Boyd was first to a loose ball and zipped a pass for McFarlane to blast home from close range.

Portmore maintained the advantage in attack in the second period, particularly when they held the edge in numbers, but their inaccuracy in front of goal, which has haunted them this season, was again their undoing.

Shortly after the hour mark, the pair of Stephen Williams and Suelae McCalla — both on as substitutes — missed from straightforward situations close to goal in the most glaring cases as Tivoli Gardens held on bravely for the three points.

Teams: Tivoli Gardens — Davin Watkins, Robert Williams, Ranike Anderson, Damion Gordon, Rushawne Rowe (Christopher Jackson 60th), Rohan Reid, Shawn McKoy, Keammar Daley, Junior Flemmings, Andre McFarlane (Jamoy Sibblies 65th), Navion Boyd

Subs not used: Edsel Scott, Jamie Robinson, Nicholas Scott, Akeem Brown, Rodico Wellington

Booked: Boyd (ejected 54th), Flemmings (54th), Daley (76th)

Portmore United — Gariece McPherson, Rosario Harriott, Rickcardo Harriott, Damion Binns, Adrian Reid, Ewan Grandison, Paul Wilson, Ricardo Morris, Jovan East (Stephen Williams 46th), Mitchily Waul (Nickoy Christian 66th), Kereem Manning (Suelae McCalla 46th)

Subs not used: Donan Atkinson, Cleon Pryce, Roberto Johnson, Upston Edwards

Booked: Wilson (73rd)

Referee: Dwight Royal

Assistant Referees: Princess Brown, Damion Williams

Fourth Official: Cardella Samuels