Swaby started a searing run from 30-odd yards in midfield, dicing his way into Village?s 18-yard-box, getting past no fewer than five opposing players before skillfully tucking the ball past goalkeeper Leighton Murray while still being hounded by at least three defenders.

Swaby?s goal broke a 1-1 deadlock as Portmore fell behind in the 18th minute and had to wait until the 35th for Wolry Wolfe to level the score with a sweet goal on the turn from 20 yards, the ball flying between Murray?s arms at his near post.

Offside trap

Midfielder Everett Mullings had sent visiting Village ahead after he beat Portmore?s offside trap, running on to a long ball played out of defence.

With no Portmore defender anywhere close, Mullings had time to pick, choose and refuse angles to boot past goalie Shawn Sawyers, who made the midfielder?s job easier by losing his footing in an attempt to rush the advancing player.

Victory pushed Portmore to 45 points, still eight behind leaders Harbour View, who beat Tivoli 3-1 at the Edward Seaga Stadium, registering their third win in four days over the homesters following last Wednesday?s 1-0 Red Stripe Champions Cup quarter-final victory at the same venue.

Early goal

Portmore coach Linval Dixon said his team didn?t start sharp enough and paid the price by conceding an early goal.

?We started a little flat and it took us a while to get into the game,? he said.

Having given themselves too much to do in the third round by drawing too many games for a second consecutive season, Dixon is hoping his team keeps winning in case the leaders stumble.

?We just have to keep going and hope the leaders falter,? he said.

AT BARBICAN: August Town beat Seba United 1-0, courtesy of a 76th minute goal by Daniel Shaw.

The win lifted first-time NPL qualifiers August Town to 28 points as they leapfrogged Seba into ninth place. Seba dropped to 10th position, on 25 points.