Robert Bailey, Star Writer

Former champions Bridge-port recorded a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Dunoon Technical in their Group B encounter of the ISSA/Pepsi/Digicel Manning Cup competition at Bridgeport yesterday.

Odane White scored the lone goal for the Anthony Patrick-coached Bridgeport, who last won the Manning Cup title in 2006. In the group's other games, Jose Marti stopped Vauxhall 4-2 and Tivoli stopped Ascot 2-1.

Bridgeport leads, the group with 17 points, one ahead of Tivoli Gardens 16 and Ascot 10.

"It was a very tough victory because we had to fight very hard for it," said Patrick. "I am very happy with our performance because we played really well and we didn't give up any goals," Patrick said.

At the Edward Seaga Complex, Tivoli was led to their victory courtesy of a brace from Ajei Benjamin in the 31st and 62nd minute.

Keneiko Thomas scored the consolation goal for the St Catherine-based Ascot in the 80th minute.

Dave Clarke, coach of Tivoli, said he was very pleased with his team's performance because they played their hearts out for the victory.

"This was a much-improved performance compared to what happened on Wednesday when we drew against Dunoon, who are the weakest team in the zone," said Clarke. "My players were much more energised today and they went and they gave us a good performance," he said.

Clarke added: "This victory has taken us away from Ascot, who are in third place and it brought us closer to Bridgeport, who we have in our next game and I think that this game will determined the winners of the group."

Tivoli began the match confidently and were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute, when Benjamin was brought inside the penalty box by Kemar Meeks. However, Tivoli's captain Barrington Pryce fired his shot high over the crossbar.

However, the fleet-footed Benjamin gave the hosts the lead, when he headed home a cross against the run of play and past custodian Shamoyo Morgan.

Mark Hurd, came close to doubling Tivoli's lead on the stroke of half time, but his point blank effort was kept out by the crossbar.

The skillful and speedy Benjamin scored for his team 12-minutes into the second period, when he tapped home a cross from Vernice Dillion. Thomas gave Ascot a glimmer of hope 10-minutes from time, when he scored from close range shot.

Today's Games

Group A: Camperdown vs Water-ford, Cumberland vs Oberlin

Group C: Calabar vs Excelsior, Kingston Technical vs Charlie Smith, Papine vs St Andrew College

Group E: Ardenne vs Donald Quarrie, Edith Dalton James vs St George's College, Spanish Town vs St Jago.

Yesterday's results

Group B

Tivoli 2 vs Ascot 1

Bridgeport 1 vs Dunoon 0

Jose Marti 4 vs Vauxhall 2

Group D:

Norman Manley 3 Holy Trinity 0

St Andrew Tech 2 vs M'brook 1

Pembroke Hall 2 Mona 0

Group F: Eltham 1 vs KC 0.