FROME, Westmoreland — Despite heavy rains that affected the game there were wild celebrations after Reno FC claimed a famous 2-0 win over defending champions Montego Bay United at Frome Grounds to secure their place in the Red Stripe Premier League on a dramatic final day of the regular season.

Jason McLean in the fourth minute and Alburn Facey in the 38th punished suspect goalkeeping from Montego Bay United’s Jacomeno Barrett as they improved to 35 points, one more than Sporting Central Academy who went down to Tivoli Gardens to join Barbican as the relegated teams.

Montego Bay United had already secured their place in the semi-finals after a come from behind 2-2 draw against Humble Lion last week, but will go into the semi-finals on a three-game winless run.

It was a massive relief for the Reno FC players and support staff as well as the few faithful spectators who braved rains which threatened at times to wash out the game.

Montego Bay United had several chances to score in the game but a dogged Reno, fighting for their very survival, threw themselves into every tackle and every block while defending in numbers.

Reno took the lead after McLean’s long-range shot from the right flank curled away from Barrett and into the top right-hand corner of the goal.

MBU hit back through Owayne Gordon and Ronaldo Rodney but the Reno defence and goalkeeper Devaughn Hawthorne were equal to everything they threw at them.

A mistake from Barrett in the 38th doubled Reno FC’s advantage after the goalkeeper dropped a high ball in the driving rain and Facey punched it home, much to the delight of the fans and his teammates.

Teams: Reno FC — Devaughn Hawthorne, Alburn Facey, Rondell Morris, Jason McLean, Craig Foster (Kaycee Brinfield 89th), Kavar Walker (Omar Johnson 90th+2), Codean Smikle (Denmark Gillings 65th), Linval Wilson, Renorio Downswell, Afiba Chambers, Xavion Anderson

Subs not used: Dennis Clayton, Hushane Hinds, Maliki Reid, Leonardo Rankine

Booked: Smikle (51st)

Montego Bay United — Jacomeno Barrett, Cordel Simpson, Winston Wilkinson (Donovan Carey 71st), Dwayne Holmes, Keniel Kirlew, Jermaine Woozencroft, Owayne Gordon (Allan Ottey 62nd), Ronaldo Rodney, Lesly St Fleur, Kemiro James, Graeme Green

Subs not used: Garen Downie, Mario Samuels, Cornelius Henry

Booked: Holmes (67th), Green (86th)

Referee: Kevin Lamey

Assistant Referees: Garnett Page, Damion Williams

Fourth Official: Veralton Nembhard

Match Commissary: Fitzroy Reid