A goal after six minutes by forward Irving Burgess gave Vasco a narrow victory in this First Division clash at Lord's yesterday.

But the league champions had to sweat it out in the second half to prevent the rejuvenated home team from getting what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Burgess snatched the clincher after just six minutes when he smartly headed home from a neat lob by Sammy Swan.

Vasco dominated for the remainder of the half and should have increased their lead by the break, but poor finishing proved their downfall.

Spearheaded by Richard Todd in midfield, St. David's managed a few isolated counter-attacks in the first half but seldom looked capable of scoring.

Their best chance came after 22 minutes when Todd smartly dribbled past three defenders only to be robbed of possession by centreback Kentoine Jennings just as he was about to shoot from inside the box.

Vasco followed up this attack by squandering another golden opportunity when Swan's cross from the right was fired over the bar by Burgess.

Before the half, Swan, Franklyn Simmons and Burgess all finished poorly from inside the box.

St. David's played with renewed vigour when play re-started and with Todd working tirelessly in midfield they were able to get the better of the exchanges.

As the home side pushed powerfully forward, Vasco failed to find their gear and accomplished very little in terms of attacking.

The first good chance for St. David's came after 70 minutes when a firm header by striker Keith Jennings was sensationally palmed away by the alert Timmy Figureido in the Vasco goal.

Five minutes later Vasco hit back but after being put through the middle on a breakaway by Swan, Burgess sent his shot from an angle on the right wide of the near post.

Figureido was kept busy in the latter stages of the game, being called upon to save a fierce drive from Tafari Outerbridge and another firm blast from Todd's 25-yard free kick.

St. David's: K.Evans; J.Warren, S.Pitcher, A.Tyrrell, E.Wolffe; J.Thomas, T.Outerbridge, R.Todd; O.Minors (S.Goater, 60 mins), K.Jennings, C.Simmons (P.White, 76 mins) Vasco: T.Figureido; T.Dickinson, P.Towlson, K.Jennings, D.Stapley; S.Arorash (S.Gibbons, 62 mins), S.Smith, V.Astwood; I.Burgess, S.Swan, F.Simmons Referee: Gary Cook Men of the Match: Richard Todd (St. David's); Kentoine Jennings (Vasco)