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COMMERCE CITY 鈥� Marlon Hairston came off the bench to score his first goal in nearly two years Saturday night, reversing a trend of ties for the Rapids and lifting them to a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City.

Hairston, who came on in the 62nd minute for crafty playmaker Marco Pappa, found a corner of the goal by the far post from just outside the penalty area, giving the Rapids their first victory in a month.

Hairston spent much of last season on loan with Charlotte of the USL.

鈥淚t was a long time coming,鈥� said Hairston, who played as a defender last season聽but now plays in midfield. 鈥淭o be able to go to Charlotte and get minutes when I was coming back from injury, getting my confidence higher, being able to be back on the attacking side of the field has been great for me. I credit the coaches for continuing to have faith in me.鈥�

While grateful to be unbeaten since April 9, and proud of the stingiest defense in Major League Soccer, the Rapids were eager to kick their recent habit of playing to ties. Four of their previous five games were draws, the lone victory in that run a 2-1 triumph over Chicago here on June 18. All those ties have allowed FC Dallas to knock them off their perch atop the Western Conference聽with 40 points to the Rapids’ 37, although FCD has played three more games than Colorado.

FCD beat Chicago 3-1 Saturday night but the Rapids win allowed them to keep pace, three points behind. FCD will be here next Saturday.

One thing didn鈥檛 change Saturday: Colorado dominating possession at home. The Rapids owned the ball 56 percent of a scoreless first half, but were unable to put a shot on goal. They have now scored only five first-half goals in 18 games, versus 17 in the second half. The visitors mustered only one shot on goal before intermission, a hard shot by striker Dom Dwyer from long range that Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard handled easily.

The visitors came out more aggressive at the outset of the second half and the possession advantage switched their way for the first 15 minutes, putting considerable pressure on the Rapids staunch back line. Much of the play went through SKC midfielder Roger Espinosa, a member of the Honduran national team who went to high school at Denver South and Regis Jesuit.

The Rapids missed a great chance in the 54th minute on a counterattack, beginning with a long punt by Howard to striker Kevin Doyle on the right wing, who switched it to Dillon Powers on the left wing. Powers was open but his shot went over the crossbar. Eleven minutes later, Hairston got behind the SKC back line in the penalty area but his shot was saved by onrushing SKC goalkeeper Tim Melia.

Howard’s third game for the Rapids produced his first MLS win since 2003 and second clean sheet.

“I feel a lot more comfortable now,” Howard said. “Another clean sheet at home, an incredible goal by Marlon. All around, we’re really happy.”