Portmore United's Anthony Bennett struck the decisive goal against Seba on Sunday evening. - Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

MIDFIELDER ANTHONY Bennett scored on the stroke of half time for Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park on Sunday, knocking the wind out of Seba who were looking dangerous in attack before calamity struck.

Standing in line with Seba's back four, Bennett was gifted a goal from a high clearance knocked into the opposing half by defender Adrian Reid.

Expecting an offside call on Bennett, Seba's defenders, who were having a peach of a game up to then, reacted a shade slowly as the Portmore midfielder raced to the edge of the box, with them on his heels, and fired a shot into goal past Jacomeno Barrett, who was caught slightly off his line.

The 1-0 win kept Portmore atop the league on goal difference, tied on 56 points with joint leaders Tivoli Gardens.

Seba's assistant coach, Alrick Henry, questioned the assistant referee's judgement.

Poor defending

"I wouldn't say it was poor defending," he snapped. "I believe it was a clear offside. If he ran through, I apologise to the referee, but I believe it was a clear offside." Bennett's goal sapped the energy from Seba as it was a different team which came out for the second half, having just one shot on goal - a 70th-minute effort from Delroy Ellis after Rudolph Austin lost possession in midfield, needlessly attempting to 'salad' an opponent.

Portmore's Linval Dixon said he knew Seba would have started strong.

"We knew Seba would come running and the plan was to wear them down and take over the game," he pointed out.

Seba, who started the afternoon tied on 35 points, contesting sixth place with two other teams, Village and St Georges, fell to ninth after the loss.

Meanwhile, St Georges, who were hanging on to sixth place, went down 1-0 at home to Sporting Central in a clash of promoted teams.

Romain Barnes netted in the 45th minute for Sporting Central, making the crucial sixth spot the sole property of the Clarendon team.

Sporting Central's win moved them from ninth to sixth place on 37 points, leapfrogging St Georges and Seba, who both remained on 35, eighth and ninth, respectively, on goal difference.