Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer

Shawn Saywers ... pulled off a number of fine saves for Portmore against Reno. - File

SECOND-HALF strikes by Adrian Reid and Mario Swaby provided Portmore with a 2-0 win over Reno at St Elzabeth Technical High School on Wednesday.

The victory strengthened their place atop the National Premier League standings while keeping a relegation stranglehold on Wendell Downswell's team.

In fact, Omar Johnson's red card for an inexcusable off-the-ball challenge on substitute Steven Morrissey just seconds before the final whistle further exacerbated Reno's woes, leaving the coaching staff and fans further demotivated.

Dominance of the game

The second-half goals by Portmore emphasised their of dominance of the game as well as the disparity between the quality of the teams' replacements.

Home side Reno generated most of the attacking moves of the first half, creating enough chances to have gained at least a 2-0 advantage at the interval.

Portmore's goalkeeper, Shawn Sawyers, had to be treated several times after producing outstanding blocks from close-range shots. While Sawyers demonstrated tenacity and skill, the Reno forwards lacked composure and accuracy.

Reid's goal in the 47th minute emphasised coach Linval Dixon's loud appeal for the team to show its class, as the central defender pushed his head past Reno captain Nicholy Findlayson to score a header from a corner.

Swaby, one of three attacking substitutes for Portmore, then used his individual skill to outfox two Reno defenders and strike the ball into the back of the net.