Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

Jermaine Simpson (left) of August Town tussles with Marlon Allen of Sporting Central Academy in National Premier League action at the UWI Bowl yesterday. August Town won 1-0. - Ricardo Makyn

PORTMORE UNITED last night shot five points clear of Tivoli Gardens atop the Premier League standings, clipping Arnett Gardens 1-0 at Ferdie Neita Park to send the Junglists plunging to the bottom of the table on 32 points.

Ricardo Cousins blasted in the match-winner from close range on the right side of goal in the 50th minute, pouncing on a rebound after Roen Nelson's header off Tyrone Sawyers' cross from the left was pushed to his feet by goalie Julian McLeish.

Victory propelled Portmore to 61 points, taking the league leaders further away from Tivoli Gardens, who stayed well clear in second on 56 points, beaten 1-0 at Harbour View by Marcellino Blackburn's 66th minute goal.

Harbour View's win pushed them to 47 points, level with Boys' Town in third place after the Red Brigade were clipped 1-0 by St Georges at Lynch Park in Portland.

Damion Harwood's 52nd-minute goal tossed a lifeline to St Georges as the promoted team jumped from eighth to the much sought-after sixth spot, going past Village, who drew 0-0 at home with Waterhouse and Sporting Central, who started the day seventh but lost 1-0 at August Town and are now eighth.

St Georges now hold down sixth spot on goals scored over Village with whom they share 39 points and the exact goal difference.

Teams falling below sixth spot at the end of the third round will play in a separate group to avoid relegation.

Entering Wednesday's final set of games in the third round, St Georges have a toe in for sixth spot with 36 goals to Village's 32 after the teams traded victories in the first two rounds then drew 0-0 in the third round.

Wednesday's final set of games should be intriguing as Village are set to face Boys' Town at Collie Smith Drive whereas St Georges are down to play Tivoli at the Edward Seaga Stadium.

Sporting Central and Seba United, on 38 and 37 points, respectively, considering Village and St Georges' opposition on Wednesday, must still fancy their chances of grabbing sixth spot.

However, they will have to get past each other in what should be a cracker at Brancourt with Sporting Central hosting Seba on Wednesday.

Seba drew 0-0 with Reno at Jarrett Park last night to remain in the race.

Meanwhile, August Town, as coach Dominic Spaulding had promised following his team's loss in the COK Champions Cup quarter-finals on Thursday, jumped from the foot of the standings and now share 33 points with Reno, one ahead of last-place Arnett Gardens.

The consistent Mitchily Waul was on target for August Town, netting in the 67th minute.

August Town 32 8 9 15 32 47 -15 33