New England trails Columbus by two points in the race for the final playoff berth in the East.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – Pat Noonan scored twice and goalkeeper Adin Brown made a spectacular second-half save to keep New England ahead as the Revolution defeated the MetroStars 2-1 on a rainy Saturday night.

Noonan put New England ahead in the 11th minute with a shot off the leg of MetroStars defender Steve Jolley. The former Indiana University star added an insurance goal in the 72nd minute after taking a nice pass from Jose Cancela on a counter attack.

Noonan’s fifth goal of the season and third against the MetroStars was needed because Jolley scored in the 81st minute off a corner kick by Mike Magee. The victory was only the second in the last 12 games for the Revolution, who trail Columbus by two points in the race for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

After Noonan’s early goal, Brown kept the Revolution ahead in the 64th minute by reaching back with his left hand to turn away a shot by Ricardo Clark that had deflected off a New England defender.

Noonan stretched the lead to 2-0 by beating MetroStars goalkeeper Jonny Walker with a 20-yard shot from right in front of the goal.

The MetroStars had a great chance to tie the game in the 88th minute when Joey DiGiamarino found Clint Mathis all alone in front of Brown with a crossing pass.

Mathis had the goalkeeper at his mercy, but his shot went wide of the right goalpost.

AP-ES-09-13-03 2152EDT