League leaders Vasco paid the price for a series of squandered chances when a disputed Dandy Town penalty at the end of a scrappy first half denied them three points at PHC Stadium yesterday.

Clay Smith had put coach John Rebello's team ahead just six minutes before the controversial 41st minute award, making up for a dreadful third minute miss by driving home Dwight Basden's pass from 15 yards with his favoured left foot.

But then Reggie Tucker got clear on the right side of the Vasco box, aimed his cross towards the unmarked Khano Smith, only to see Paul Towlson jump and land with a crunch on top of the less well positioned Paul Cann.

Referee Cal Simons had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Cecil Wilkinson converted the penalty.

Simons was immediately surrounded by a host of Vasco players who made sure their disagreement with his decision was given a good airing.

However, their protests merely distracted from their poor finishing in a first half which they largely controlled, but also after the break when Town enjoyed greater possession.

Antoine Lightbourne was forced to make fine saves from Meschach Wade's powerful 20-yard drive and Sammy Swan's close-range effort as Vasco sought a winner their approach play warranted.

Swan was thwarted a second time in as many minutes when Steede's cross was nodded into his path by Smith, but his shot was deflected for a corner.

And the Vasco striker thought he should have had a penalty when he rounded Lionel Furbert in the box before seeming to be tripped but referee Simons ignored his claim and Swan was almost immediately substituted.

Vasco were playing their third game in six days but started the match with much the same team as took part in the second leg of their Dudley Eve Trophy triumph. The one change saw Clay Smith come in for Keith Jennings -- who he replaced after 62 minutes of that tie -- while rebels Ascento Russell, Burton Bruce, and Tillman Darrell, who declined to sit on the bench for that match, were once again left on the sidelines.

Town's attacking options, meanwhile, were hit by the absence of eight-goal striker Darron Simons, who was replaced by the lanky Khano Smith and, until the penalty, the sum of their efforts was a poor free kick from Wilkinson and Smith's off-balance volley which ballooned out of the ground.

But Kris Martin had two opportunities to secure a little deserved victory for Town.

Moments after the equaliser, the busy Reggie Tucker found himself in yards of space just inside the Vasco half, but Martin, surging in on the right, slipped Tucker's pass just wide of Timmy Figuerido's left hand post.

And with 20 minutes left, Figuerido's mis-hit clearance fell at Martin's feet about 45 yards from goal. Martin's first-time shot was superbly controlled and seemed to be heading for the net, but the red-faced goalkeeper managed to contain his embarrassment to race back and tip it over the bar.

Vasco: T.Figuerido, E.Richardson, M.Wade, P.Towlson, D.Stapley, V.Astwood, O.Steede, Ken. Jennings, C.Smith, D.Basden (Kei. Jennings 68 mins), S.Swan (A.Russell 72 mins).

Dandy Town: A.Lightbourne, P.Douglas, D.Bailey, L.Furbert, R.Evans (D.Lewis 85 mins), C.Wilkinson, P.Cann, K.Martin, D.Binns (S.Tuzo 67 mins), R.Tucker, K.Smith (C.Anderson 77 mins).

Referee: Cal Simons.

Men of the match: Clay Smith (Vasco); Reggie Tucker (Dandy Town).

The First Division match between Devonshire Colts and Southampton Rangers will now take place at BAA Field tonight (9.00), having been postponed on Saturday.

Colts, the defending league champions, have a chance to force a three-way tie for first place with Vasco and Boulevard.

Colts and Rangers will meet in a Junior Division match in the 7.00 opener.