DEFENDING champion Tivoli Gardens officially relinquished their Red Stripe Premier League title after losing 0-1 to Humble Lion at the Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday.

Tivoli Gardens started the day 13 points adrift of leaders Portmore United, and with this home loss, remained on 51 points with only four games remaining and a possible 12 points available.

Denzil Watson scored a beautiful free-kick in the 39th minute to push Humble Lion to 54 points and into third spot. Although it will be a difficult task, Humble Lion remain in the title race and are 10 points behind Portmore United who have a game in hand against Harbour View on Monday night.

If Portmore win this game, Humble Lion's chances would be dashed.

Glendon Bailey, coach of Tivoli Gardens, accepted his team is out of the title race.

"We just have to look forward to next season in terms of winning the league; we just have to play for pride," he said.

It was a brave effort from the visiting Humble Lion who finished the game with 10 men after Adrian Mitchell was red-carded in the 58th minute. But Tivoli, with the one-man advantage, failed to capitalise in a disappointing display

at home.

In a relegation showdown at Lynch Park, Highgate clipped Reno FC 2-1, spurred by a brace from Roberto Fletcher (ninth and 69th minutes). Oraine Warren got Reno's consolation in the seventh minute.