New York Red Bulls have put an end to Houston Dynamo's five-game win streak to reclaim top sport in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.

A tense first half ended goalless, with neither side wanting to make a mistake.

The match opened up in the second half and New York were the team to profit, opening the scoring on the hour.

Swedish centre-back Markus Holgersson stayed forward from a set piece and made no mistake with a header after an aerial assist from Tim Cahill.

Dynamo created chances but were wasteful with their attempts on goal.

As Houston pressed for an equaliser in stoppage time they were caught on the break by an incisive Red Bulls counter.

Cahill found Thierry Henry in acres of space as the clock ran down. He slid the ball across goal for Jan Gunnar Solli to tap in from close range.

An important win for the Red Bulls kept their unbeaten home record intact and avenged last week's defeat to Dynamo in the reverse fixture by the same scoreline.