Houston Dynamo have held off Toronto FC to register a 2-1 away win in the MLS.

The home side went close several times in the first half an hour, as Jozy Altidore headed narrowly past the near post and Sebastian Giovinco curled an effort marginally wide.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead when DaMarcus Beasley won a penalty shortly before half time for being tripped in the box.

Oscar Garcia missed the initial effort, but calmly slotted home the rebound.

Houston doubled their lead shortly after the break, as Giles Barnes cut through the defence and supplied Will Bruin with a chance in the box. The striker was ruthless and showed plenty of composure to smash it past the onrushing keeper.

Barnes ran the show in the second half, keeping possession and beating players with ease. He almost added a third just past the hour mark, but his long-range shot was tipped over the bar.

Toronto rallied and got their way back into the match as Altidore directed a powerful header home at the back post, but Benoit Cheyrou missed a golden chance to equalise as he headed a corner wide from six yards.