Nelson - File

CANCUN, Mexico (CMC):

Jamaican striker Roen Nelson revived Joe Public's CONCACAF Champions League hopes when he scored a second-half goal that gave the Trinidad and Tobago outfit an upset 1-0 win over Mexico's Atlante FC on Thursday night.

After a scoreless first half, Nelson struck in the 57th minute as visiting Joe Public snatched three points and their first win in the group stage of the tournament.

Coming off consecutive losses to Canada's Montreal Impact (0-2) and the Honduras side CD Olimpia (1-3), Joe Public were hardly fancied to avoid defeat on the road against the Mexicans.

But the usually prolific Nelson rediscovered his scoring form and stunned Atlante with the winning goal 12 minutes into the second half, that snapped an eight-game unbeaten run at home for Atlante FC.

Getting onto the end of a free-kick that was headed on, Nelson freed himself from his marker Giancarlos Maldonado and steered a one-time right-footer into the goal from 12 yards.

It was Nelson's first goal since Joe Public's shocking 4-0 win over the American side New England Revolution on September 2 in Massachusetts.

Both teams finished the game with 10 men when Jose Carevic of Atlante was sent off for a foul in the third minute of injury time and Joe Public's ace Guyanese forward, Gregory Richardson, followed with a red card for dissent.

Joe Public will play their next two games at home, on Wednesday against Montreal and on October 21 against Atlante.

The victory gave Joe Public three points and moved them into a points tie for third with CD Olimpia in Group C, trailing leaders Montreal Impact (7) and Atlante FC (4).