Jamaican international Darren Mattocks struck the game winner as D.C. United rallied for a crucial 2-1 home win last night, beating Minnesota united to boost their MLS eastern conference playoff hopes.

Mattocks who struck twice for the reggae boys against the Cayman islands on Sunday in the Concacaf nations scored in the 69th minute after he took a pass from Joseph Mora and first-timed it home from short distance for a 2-1 lead.

DC united with their former Manchester united star Wayne Rooney had scored their equaliser four minutes earlier after Minnesota had struck first in the 47th minute.

Minnesota meanwhile saw its distant chance at making the western conference playoffs all but disappear with the loss.