Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

ST GEORGES of Portland were yesterday cruelly denied sixth place and a chance to play among the elite of the Premier League when fellow-promoted team, Sporting Central of Clarendon, edged them out of the top six on head-to-head meetings.

St Georges, who started the day sixth with 39 points, leading Village on goals scored, went down 3-1 to second-place Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Stadium, falling behind in the 25th minute off an own-goal, a header turned past goalkeeper Ralston Robinson by wing-back Keion Clunis.

With news that Village were being clobbered 3-0 by Boys' Town at Collie Smith Drive, St Georges' chances of hanging on to sixth place were still alive after Dwight Heron and Sheldon Palmer added goals in the 70th and 90th minutes.

However, with Seba leading 2-1 at Brancourt, Gregory Lewis netted in the final minute to earn a 2-2 draw for Sporting Central.

The draw moved Sporting Central to 39 points, joining St Georges and Village, handing the Clarendonians sixth spot by virtue of beating St Georges twice in three meetings this season, the clincher being a 1-0 victory at Lynch Park in the third round.

St Georges' coach, Donovan Duckie, said his team lacked the depth to last the extended season.

"For about 26 games, I believe we were consistent but that would have exceeded a Super League season and it took a toll on the guys," he said.