TUCKER, St James — The race for two of the four semi-final slots in the Red Stripe Premier League got closer on Sunday after Tivoli Gardens and Rivoli United scored 2-0 wins over defending champions Montego Bay United and harbour View, respectively, as they completed their second-round fixtures.

Four points separated the four teams from third to sixth places with Humble Lion a win away from putting themselves in a position to vie for a place as well.

Tivoli Gardens handed Montego Bay United their first home loss of the season at WesPow Park as the hosts extended their goalless run to 543 minutes over six games, since Omar Gordon’s 87th-minute goal against Sporting Central Academy on December 28 last year.

Barrington Pryce in the 31st minute and Jamoy Sibbles four minutes into time added to the second half scored for Tivoli as they moved up to sixth place on 32 points, same as Rivoli United.

Montego Bay United are still in third place on 36 points, two more than Harbour View, with Arnett Gardens leading on 45 points with a game in hand. Waterhouse are in second place on 41 points.

Ironically, it was a generous gesture from Montego Bay United president Orville Powell that allowed the game to start just over 20 minutes late.

There was a colour clash as Tivoli Gardens had arrived at the venue without their away kit and both teams turned out in orange tops, but after a standoff, Powell intervened and Montego Bay United switched to a green top and the game proceeded.

Montego Bay United had the first few chances at goal and it took a well-timed tackle in the ninth minute for a defender to get to a pass from Omar Gordon intended for Allan Ottey just inside the 18-yard area.

Junior Flemmings got Tivoli’s first real chance at goal in the 30th minute, but his shot from point-blank range was blocked for a corner.

Tivoli Gardens went ahead about a minute later when Pryce shot home from a melee at the far right post.

Five minutes later Shawn McKoy’s shot from just inside the Montego Bay United’s 18-yard area was blocked by a defender, but the home team finished the first half strong, forcing five consecutive corners as Tivoli failed to get the ball away.

Montego Bay United threw everything in attack in the second half, bringing on Ricardo Morris for the more defensive Keneil Kirlew and they dominated the possession pushing Tivoli back in their own defensive area for long periods.

Ottey had goalkeeper David Watkins at his mercy in the 53rd minute, but his soft curler aimed at the far right corner was easily saved.

Ten minutes later Morris had a chance at goal from the penalty spot, but waited too long and allowed the Tivoli defenders to regroup and watched as his resulting shot was forced wide.

Tivoli put the game away in time added on when Sibbles, who had replaced Nicholas Scott, was left unmarked and he perfectly placed a header to the right of goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett after Keammar Daley’s cross from the left side.

Montego Bay United — Jacomeno Barrett, Ladale Richie, Troy Smith, Keneil Kirlew (Ricardo Morris-46th), Graeme Green (Kemiro James-65th), Dwayne Ambusley, Orlando McBayne (Jermaine Woozencroft-78th), Fabian McCarthy, Omar Gordon, Lesly St Fleur, Allan Ottey.

Subs not used: David Swaby, Winston Wilkinson, John Barrett, Donovan Carey

Booked: None

Tivoli Gardens — David Watkins, Robert Williams (Weston Forrest-63rd), Fitzroy Campbell, Barrington Pryce, Kemar Flemmings, Rohan Reid, Christopher Jackson, Shawn McKoy, Keammar Daley, Nicholas Scott (Jamoy Sibbles-67th), Junior Flemmings (Andre McFarlane-78th).

Subs not used: Deron Duncan, Lennox Creary, Mark Williams, Ajuma Johnson

Booked: Williams (18th), JFlemmings (73rd), Forrest (73rd)

Referee: Dwaught Royal

Assistants: Princess Brown, Shaun Wright

Fourth Official: Deron Davey

Match Commissary: Fitzroy Reid