There is very little that Tivoli Gardens can do wrong these days, and their 1-0 win over Harbour View in the marquee Monday night Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (WNJPL) fixture was another testament to that.

Though it wasn't their most polished performance, good fortune, which has complemented their vein of form throughout the season, was at the fore of their latest victory at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Anthony Nelson's solitary seventh-minute strike, which was basically a gift from Harbour View's goalkeeper Romario Palma, saw the West Kingston team back into second position on 48 points, five behind leaders and reigning champions Mount Pleasant Academy on 53 points. 

The top two teams have already confirmed their playoff berth, along with Cavalier (48 points), Portmore United (45 points) and Arnett Gardens (45 points), while Waterhouse (37 points), Montego Bay United (37 points) and Dunbeholden FC (34 points), are in a tussle for the sixth and final spot. Harbour View remain 12th on 22 points. 

While acknowledging that the performance could have been better, Tivoli Gardens's Head coach Jerome Waite felt his team did well enough to come out tops in a tough encounter.

"It's a part of the game and it is how we trained we played today (Monday). If you noticed, it's not always to go out there and score three, four or five goals, sometimes if you get one, it's all about managing the game from there...team management, time management and players’ management, so I think we did well. This is what we look forward to as it boils down to the business end of the season," Waite said.

It was a lively start to what was expected to be a close contest by both teams, with Harbour View showing first in the early exchanges, when Jashaun Anglin's third-minute freekick was tipped over by Diego Haughton in goal for Tivoli Gardens.

Tivoli Gardens broke the deadlock shortly after, as Palma under no pressure, gifted possession to Nelson, and the player sporting the number 11 jersey gleefully accepted and converted a well-taken chip shot from just outside the 18-yard box.

They should have doubled the lead three minutes later, but Barrington Pryce couldn't keep his effort down after meeting Alton Lewis's weighted freekick.

Both teams continued to give as good as they got on the attacking front, and Anglin again went close to Harbour View in the 43rd but was denied by another good save by Haughton.

Tivoli Gardens responded two minutes later, when Lewis headed on a ball for Odean Pennycooke, who failed to apply the finishing touch, as the score remained 1-0 at the break.

On the resumption, Harbour View gradually asserted authority and enjoyed a good passage of play, but were undone by faulty shooting, coupled with resolute defending by Tivoli Gardens, in their hunt for the elusive equaliser.

In the 66th minute, Okeemo Jones lifted a weighted cross in the danger area, but Garth Stewart headed over the crossbar from dead centre of the six-yard box.

Three minutes later, Jones again floated a decent cross inside, but Lewis produced a desperate sliding challenge to thwart Omar Thompson's effort, which was destined for goal, at the far post.

Tivoli Gardens eventually broke the shackles and took control of the contest in the latter stages. They thought they doubled the lead in the 77th minute when substitute Rodico Wellington got the ball in the back of the net, but his strike was flagged for offside.

Another substitute Kimarley Smith struck a firm right-footed shot from distance that was parried by Palma five minutes from time.

Despite their dismal run this season, Harbour View's Ludlow Bernard pointed out that the performance for the most part, was an Indicator of the quality they possess.

"This has been the story of our season all round. I think we gave a credible performance in terms of attack, we created opportunities, but faulty finishing continues to be our problem. It is just unfortunate we gave up that one early and Tivoli is a very difficult team to break down, they defended stoutly for long periods, and we came up short. The season hasn't gone how we wanted to, but we gave a fighting performance against the number two ranked team in the land," he noted.

Matchweek 24 results

Portmore United 0, Vere United 1

Mount Pleasant FA 2, Arnett Gardens 0

Treasure Beach 0, Cavalier 5

Waterhouse FC 1, Dunbeholden FC 0

Montego Bay United 2, Molynes United 1

Humble Lion 6, Lime Hall Academy 0

Tivoli Gardens 1, Harbour View 0