Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Tivoli Gardens' Sheldon Palmer battles to keep the ball from Sporting Central's Jevaughn Watson and Romaine Barnes (right) in their National Premier League game on Wednesday night at the Edward Seaga Stadium. Sporting Central won 1-0. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

FOLLOWING THEIR shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sporting Central in the National Premier League at the Edward Seaga Stadium on Wednesday night, Desmond Francis, coach of the west Kingston outfit, admits his team is down, but insists it is not out.

"It is still football and anything can happen. There are four games left and we will fight to the end," Francis said.

Confident win

Tivoli, who began the final round five points adrift of leaders Portmore United, went into Wednesday's encounter knowing that nothing less than a win would do. However, a determined Sporting, despite having no chance of winning the title and having already achieved their survival objective, were simply awesome.

A step quicker to every ball, they outplayed Tivoli in a torrid first half which saw them rewarded for their industry in the 35th minute.

After a series of delightful one-time passes, Owen Gordon collected the ball on the left flank before whipping a cross to pick out Hughan Gray who charged in to lob rapidly advancing Tivoli keeper Edsel Scott at the back post.

"I think we took this team for granted, they are sixth in the competition. We were caught napping," Francis said.

Tivoli's best chance for an equaliser came in the 88th minute but a Sheldon Palmer header was cleared off the line by Sporting and a second attempt only went as far as a another thicket of defenders on the goal line. Sporting coach Christopher Dawes was delighted with the win.

"We want to remain competitive, we are not going to content with just making the top six, we are looking for a strong finish," Dawes said.

On 59 points, Tivoli are now eight adrift of Portmore.

Tivoli Gardens 0

Sporting Central 1

Hughan Gray 35th