Bender ... We played with a positive attitude. - file

Western Bureau:

Humble Lions climbed out of the relegation zone in the 2009-10 Digicel Premier League when a 90th minute strike by substitute Kimroy Davis gave them a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Village United, at the Elliston Wakeland Youth Centre in Falmouth on Sunday.

By virtue of their win, Humble Lions team, which started the game 11th on 15 points, have switched places with Village United, who came into the game 10th on 17 points. The defeat left Village United prime candidates for relegation as they have not scored a goal in their last four games.

Positive attitude

"We won today because we played with a positive attitude," said Christopher Bender, Humble Lion's coach.

"I am just hoping that the players recognise the kind of results we can get when we put our all into a game."

In a game, which was sluggish for the most parts, Humble Lions created the first good scoring opportunity in the sixth minute when Errol Wilkie broke free but his powerful grounder was well saved by goalkeeper Elvis Hart.

Humble Lions again came close in the 10th minute when Tyrone Lampart fired a perfect 35-yard pass into the path of Kevin Mighty but his volley soared over the crossbar.

Village United came to life briefly in the 21st minute and all but scored. A smartly taken close- range free-kick by skipper Troy Smith curled away from the goalkeeper, but struck the crossbar and sailed over the top.

Wasted chances

With time running out in the half, Village wasted further chances in the 43rd and 45th minutes. First, a Humble Lions defender who was under pressure deflected a ball into the path of Delroy Ellis but he fired straight at the goalkeeper. Second, another free-kick by Smith whistled inches wide of the goal.

The second-half started with Village looking more purposeful in attack, but sluggish front-line play affected their attempts on goal. A glorious chance was wasted in the 63rd minute when Kenardo Wilson won possession in the goal area, but unbelievably rolled the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

With time ticking away in the game, Humble Lions steadily began to take control, forcing back Village with well-coordinated attacks. They came close to scoring in the 71st minute when Zico Hererra got away before the goal but his scorching grounder was well saved by goalkeeper Hart.

Down into the dying moments of the game, Humble Lions' perseverance paid off in the 90th minute when Tyrone Buddah's shot was blocked and the alert Davis fired in the rebound, making the final score 1-0.

Village United 0

Humble Lions 1

Kimroy Davis 90th