Dandy Town moved a step closer to claiming their second First Division title, assuming sole possession of the league leadership for the first time this season with an emphatic triumph over fading PHC yesterday.

The Hornets, whose only championship came in 1988, seized upon the scoreless draw by former leaders North Village against other championship hopefuls Boulevard at Lord's to take a slender one point lead at the top.

And with three games remaining, including one next week against last-placed St. David's, and others involving Village and St. George's, Town, unbeaten in their last 14 matches, find themselves comfortably in the driver's seat in the battle for top honours.

On this occasion goals on either side of the interval by Paul Cann and Lionel Furbert put the Zebras to rest and perilously close to relegation, with only Southampton and the Islanders below them.

From the outset PHC were outclassed by wiser and cleary better opponents in every category, with the latter's lone saving grace on many occasions being Town's inability to finish plays up front or the big boot of PHC centre-back and skipper Mike Dill.

Barely three minutes had elapsed at St. John's field when veteran midfielder Paul Cann spurred the home side into the lead with a definitive strike from 15 yards.

Cann received a cross at the near-post and proceeded to control the ball before drilling his effort past a stunned PHC goalkeeper Ty Williams, who stood and watched as the ball nestled in at the back of the net.

From there the Hornets continued to swarm, creating numerous corners but were unable to capitalise further on this domination.

Referee Roddy Burchall, donning a new-look of striking cardinal-red shirt and socks, denied Darren Simons a score for off-side after the forward had put the ball over the line despite the appearance of at least two defenders keeping him on-side.

Play continued to be one-sided in favour of Town with PHC limited to sporadic counter-attacks that amounted to nought.

Sammy Swan was the Zebras main feature in attack, however, his presence alone was never enough to unravel the Hornets back-four of Lloyd Christopher, Wylie Rudo, Troy Durham and Wayne Campbell.

Nevertheless, a mix-up at the back allowed Swan and Michael Trott to combine in one of the few isolated raids only to have Christopher recover nicely to avert the threat.

Extended periods of pressure about the PHC goal was the order of the rest of the half.

Town finally got a second score when Furbert followed up on a shot by Simons in the 66th minute which was parried away by Williams to bundle the ball over the line and assure his team of maximum points.

Dandy Town: C.Davis; W.Rudo, W.Campbell, T.Durham, L.Christopher; D.Boyles (T.Lewis 85 mins), L.Furbert, K.Martin, P.Cann; C.Smith, D.Simons (W.Musson 82 mins).

PHC: T.Williams; N.Simons, M.Dill, D.Outerbridge, B.Bean; B.Simons (A.Stovell 56 mins), M.Trott (T.Russell 70 mins), O.Steede; R.Lightbourne, S.Swan, K.Mills.

Referee: Roddy Burchall.

Men of the match: Kris Martin (Dandy Town), Mike Dill (PHC).