Arnett Gardens' Loxley Thomas (right) congratulates his team-mate, Kevin King, after King scored the lone goal, during a Digicel Premier League match at the Ferdie Neita Park, in Braeton, Portmore on Wednesday. Arnett Gardens won 1-0. - Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

Coach of Digicel Premier League leaders Portmore United, Linval Dixon, believes his team will rebound after their surprising 1-0 loss to Arnett Gardens at the Ferdie Neita Park, in Braeton on Wednesday.

"We are a bit disappointed with the result, but we still have a five-point cushion ... we have to keep on working, we just have to refocus and get ourselves ready for the next game, against Boys' Town on Sunday," Dixon said after the game.

The loss saw Portmore's eight-point lead drop to five points, and second place. Tivoli Gardens clipped fourth-place Boys' Town 3-2 to surge to 65 points, while Arnett Gardens' quest to finish in fourth place was given a huge lift as they are now on 53 points, a point adrift of a falling Boys' Town (54).

Pleased man

Player/coach Fabian Davis was a pleased man.

"The concentration is very good. We work pretty hard every day, it's all about team spirit and a focus on what our objectives are. We were organised in the middle of the park, and the team played with guts and determination," Davis said. He added: "We've set our goals to finish in the top four and we want to work towards that."

Portmore's 13-game unbeaten streak was snapped by Arnett's Kevin King in the 53rd minute, shooting past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers. Portmore brought more players forward late in the game, and introduced Ricardo Cousins and veteran Kevin Deerr into the attack, but they were unable to crack Arnett's defence marshalled by the speedy Gerald Neil and the experienced Julian McLeish in goal.

Portmore's best chance came in a goalless first half, as an unmarked Carlington Smith, in the 20th minute got a gift in front of goal, but fired wide of McLeish's right post.