DENVER (Ticker) -- Joe Cannon had a team-record 12 saves -- several in spectacular fashion -- as the San Jose Earthquakes notched their first road victory of the season, defeating the Colorado Rapids, 1-0.

Abdul Thompson Conteh notched his eighth goal of the season for San Jose (5-8-8), which picked up a much-needed three points against Western Division rival Colorado (9-10-2).

Cannon earned his sixth shutout of the season, tying him with Los Angeles' Kevin Hartman for second in MLS behind Kansas City's Tony Meola.

Conteh's game-winner came in the 34th minute after San Jose spent much of the first half in its own end. He finished off a play started by Richard Mulrooney, who curled a cross from the right wing to Conteh at the edge of the six-yard box.

The Sierra Leone striker headed the ball down and it bounced past Rapids goalkeeper David Kramer. Mulrooney registered his team-leading ninth assist on the goal.

"Abdul made a great run, he's been doing that all season," Mulrooney said. "I got the ball back after a corner kick, and just sent it behind the defense and Conteh got there."

Cannon's best save came in the 83rd minute. The goalkeeper reached full extension to tip away a blistering header from Jorge Dely Valdes from the edge of the six-yard box. Dely Valdes' effort, set up by a nice cross from Anders Limpar, appeared headed for the upper left corner of the goal.

San Jose held out through a frantic four minutes of extra time. Marcelo Balboa headed Limpar's corner kick just over the crossbar in the final moments.

The teams meet again Saturday in San Jose. The Earthquakes, 1-7-3 on the road, sport an MLS-record 15-game unbeaten streak at home.