Ainsley Walters, Freelance Reporter

TIVOLI GARDENS yesterday outclassed relegation candidates Reno 3-1 at the Edward Seaga Stadium to leap atop the Cash Plus Premier League standings in the absence of Portmore United.

Kevin Blackford opened the scoring in the 17th-minute, gifted an easy goalmouth chance by defender Omar Dallas' attempted clearance.

Striker Dwayne Plummer leveled the score in the 33rd minute with a sweet volley, turning Kirk Wright's chip from the right of the box past Leon Gordon.

However, Craig Stewart put the homesters back ahead four minutes later, firing past Dennis Taylor from inside the box after Blackford set him up with a pass played high into the box off Steve Green's free kick from the right side of midfield.

Insurance goal

Tivoli got their insurance goal after the break from midfielder Sheldon Palmer, a beautiful volley from inside the box, giving Taylor no chance as the ball whizzed into goal.

Victory pushed Tivoli to 52 points, two clear of Portmore, who missed yesterday's round of games due to an away two-match series on the weekend against the Cayman Islands' national team.

Reno remained next to last on 27 points, four off 10th-place Arnett Gardens, who drew 2-2 with St Georges at Lynch Park.

Coach Wendell Downswell blamed his team's defeat on lapses in concentration.

"The same thing happened against Boys' Town, Harbour View and today again," he pointed out.

"We're in the relegation zone and will have to continue fighting," Downswell added.

Tivoli's Desmond Francis said his team would keep pressing at Portmore.

Pressure

"We have to keep winning to put Portmore under pressure and hope they slip up," he said.

Tivoli dominated Reno and should have ended the first half 3-1 up but Palmer, instead of following through on Dean's shot at goal from the left, chose to admire the striker's attempt, which went wide of the back post.

Reno got a grand chance to pull level 14 minutes after the break but Plummer unbelievably missed from point-blank range after Wright skipped goalkeeper Gordon's challenge on the left side and passed inside for his strike partner in the six-yard box.

Much to the relief of Tivoli's fans, the Reno forward turned the ball wide of an open goal.

The visitors paid dearly for Plummer's miss when Palmer struck in the 68th, rifling home a cross sent over by Jermaine Gray, who had chased a right-sided lob from Dwight Heron to near the corner flag.

Tivoli 3

Kevin Blackford 17th

Craig Stewart 37th

Sheldon Palmer 68th

Reno 1

Dwayne Plummer 33rd